The Green Bay Packers will travel to Dallas on Sunday to face the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL’s Wild Card weekend. They earned their chance by defeating the Chicago Bears 17-9 last Sunday. In that game, five different Packers players had sacks: Kenny Clark, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, Lukas Van Ness, and Karl Brooks.
Indeed, the Packers’ defense has been outstanding over the last two games. Following their near-disaster against the Carolina Panthers, they have only allowed one touchdown, a seven-yard drive against the Minnesota Vikings after a Samori Toure fumbe on a punt return.
On Wednesday, the Packers’ defense received some terrible news. Jaire Alexander, the star cornerback who has missed 10 games this season due to injury or suspension, did not practice on Thursday due to an ankle injury suffered in practice on Wednesday.
Green Bay’s coordinators spoke to the media today, and defensive coordinator Joe Barry disclosed the seriousness of the injury and the Packers’ defensive strategy moving forward.
Joe Barry, the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, reveals the severity of Jaire Alexander’s latest injury.
Alexander rolled his ankle after stepping on another player’s foot during a run through on Wednesday, according to head coach Matt LaFleur. He also stated that he felt it was important to keep him out of practice so that he could play on Sunday.
In his own press conference, defensive coordinator Joe Barry disclosed that Alexander’s ankle injury may not be as severe as previously thought:
“He seemed to be doing better today. He accomplished nothing today, but I’m hoping he comes in tomorrow, practices, and has a terrific Friday.”
On Sunday, the Packers will undoubtedly need Alexander to help them defend against Cowboys Pro Bowl wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. It would make sense for the Packers to keep Alexander limited on Friday in order to prevent the ankle from deteriorating worse.
Joe Barry wishes he could change one thing about his game against the Chicago Bears.
As previously stated, the defense has performed admirably in the last two games. While they were successful in keeping the Bears out of the end zone last Sunday, Barry did mention one thing he wishes had gone better.
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Green Bay had five sacks against the Bears, but according to Barry, there could have been more:
“We should’ve had seven or eight.”
Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys has been sacked 39 times this season, ranking sixth in the NFL. The Packers’ pass rush will have to be on point to keep Dallas’ explosive attack at bay. Missed tackles in the backfield could be costly against one of the league’s finest teams.
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