Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander has been suspended by the team for Sunday night’s must-win showdown against Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings.
The decision stems from, but wasn’t limited to, Alexander appointing himself a captain for the Packers’ 33-30 Christmas Eve win at Carolina.
“It’s never for one thing,” said coach Matt LaFleur, who made the decision with general manager Brian Gutekunst.
“I think there’s a lot of lessons along the way from everybody involved and, hopefully, we learn from them. I think we will.
I think there will be probably better communication moving forward.”
Alexander was suspended one game for “conduct detrimental to the team,” the club said in a statement.
The decision to suspend a player is never easy and not one we take lightly,” Gutekunst said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, Jaire’s actions prior to the game in Carolina led us to take this step.
As an organization, we have an expectation that everyone puts the team first.
While it is unclear how big of a role Drake might have against the Giants, the Packers expressed confidence earlier in the week about his ability to contribute if needed.
“I think he’s a guy that — absolutely,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said on December 8 when asked if Drake could help them immediately.
“He’s played enough ball, he’s been around enough ball, he’s done a nice job in our walkthroughs and practices.
We’ll just see where we are come Monday night.”
