Green Bay’s secondary can go a lot of ways between now and kickoff on Sunday
On Friday, the Green Bay Packers ruled out starting linebacker Quay Walker (ankle), starting safety Evan Williams (quad), starting cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) and backup tackle Andre Dillard (concussion) versus the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17. All but Dillard also missed last week’s blowout victory against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.
While it’s not surprising that these players won’t be suiting up against Minnesota, it is disappointing that Alexander has had an apparent setback in his recovery. In the two weeks prior to this week of preparation, Alexander was a full participant in five of the team’s six practices. This week, he was a limited participant on Thursday and a non-participant on Friday, the team’s only two practices of the week.
Eric Wilson should sub in for Walker. The big question is what the team will do in the secondary, depending on whether or not safety Javon Bullard (ankle) will play. Bullard has been the team’s primary nickelback when healthy, but Williams’ absence could push Bullard to a true safety role. If Bullard doesn’t play in the nickel, this will mean that Keisean Nixon — a preferred outside cornerback — will line up inside. If that happens, then Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes, the third and fourth cornerbacks on the depth chart, will be tasked with lining up outside against Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Along with Bullard, receiver Christian Watson (knee) and linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper (ankle) were both listed as questionable for the Packers. Watson’s injury is being called a bruise by head coach Matt LaFleur, who has said all week that Watson has a chance to play on Sunday. Hopper, meanwhile, was injured during last week’s game against the Saints but re-entered the game later.