They probably wouldn’t be 100%, not even close.
But Green Bay cornerback Jaire Alexander and wideout Christian Watson are both active for the Packers’ wild card matchup at Dallas today at 3:30 p.m. The availability of both standouts means the Packers will have 20 of their 22 preferred starters from Week 1 available today.
Alexander sprained his ankle in Wednesday’s practice and then didn’t practice Thursday or Friday. It’s merely the latest bankruptcy in what has been largely a lost year for Alexander, the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback.
Alexander has played in just seven games this season due to shoulder and back injuries, as well as a one game suspension for insubordination.
Even when he played, Alexander didn’t play like the Pro Bowler he once was. His tackle has been poor, has no interceptions and has only recorded five assists.
Alexander can make everyone his disappointing normal season, however, with great functionality today.
Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb, the most productive player in football this year, with 135 receptions, 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. In Lamb’s last two games, he’s jammed 26 passes for 325 yards and 3 touchdowns.
If Alexander helps keep up with Lamb, and can keep him from going crazy, the Packers defense has a chance to be successful.
“Of course, every week you need a Jaire Alexander betting on you, especially this week when you’re betting on guys like No. 4 (Dak Prescott) and No. 88 (CeeDee Lamb) and Brandin Cooks and the whole team,” Packers said. defensive coordinator Joe Barry said.
Watson, who struggled with hamstring injuries in his first two seasons, suffered a hamstring injury against Kansas City on Dec. 3 and hasn’t played since.
Watson, who has 28 catches and five touchdowns this season, has missed 8 games in 2023. However, the Packers haven’t missed a beat with the emergence of Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks and Bo Melton, but Watson brings a detail of speed to the packers.
“I don’t think I’m going to be 100 percent either way to be honest,” Watson said this week. “Coming back from hamstrings, even when I was coming back earlier in the season, I think it was more around 90, 95 percent,. That’s just how it is.
“You have to fix some issues after I come back with the comfortable fabric, but I have to be able to play at a point that I know will give the team advantages and not put us in a worse situation. So I don’t think about that because I have to be 100 percent, but I have to be able to make a positive effect to get through there.
Green Bay’s inactive players come with wide receiver Malik Heath and running back AJ Dillon. Cornerback David Long, defensive back Benny Sapp, linebacker Brenton Cox and offense Caleb Jones.