As expected, the Green Bay Packers (3-5) will battle the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) on Sunday without cornerback Jaire Alexander and linebacker Quay Walker.
The Green Bay Packers’ defense will line up against the Pittsburgh Steelers without cornerback Jaire Alexander and linebacker Quay Walker. Those two standouts highlight Sunday’s inactives list.
Their inclusion among the inactives is no surprise. They didn’t practice all week and were listed as doubtful on Friday’s final injury report.
For Alexander, it’s another setback during a disappointing season. A second-team All-Pro last year, Alexander missed three games with a back injury and now will miss this game with a shoulder injury.
Carrington Valentine, who would have started, anyway, and Corey Ballentine are expected to start as the cornerbacks. Valentine is coming off a big-time game vs. the Rams. Ballentine will be making his first start in a long time.
“Anytime you’re without starters or elite players, it’s going to hurt,” defensive coordinator Joe Barry said. “They’re going to kick the ball off and we’re going to have to play. Those kids have been doing a good job filling in. I tell you guys all the time, if you prepare like you’re one play away from being a starter, that’s the mindset that we preach. Whoever’s got to go out on Sunday will be ready.”
Walker will miss a second consecutive game with a groin injury. He leads the team in tackles and tackles for losses and is tied for fifth with three passes defensed. Ascending Isaiah McDuffie will make his fifth start of the year.
Along with Alexander and Walker, the Packers will be without starting safety Darnell Savage, who’s on injured reserve.
On the bright side, starting safety Rudy Ford (calf) is back after being inactive last week, starting defensive tackle Kenny Clark (shoulder) is back after missing the second half last week and the No. 1 offensive line from last week will be intact with left tackle Yosh Nijman (back), center Josh Myers (knee) and right guard Jon Runyan (neck) active. All five of those players were questionable on Friday’s injury report.
Along with Walker and Alexander, the other inactives are receiver Samori Toure, offensive tackle Caleb Jones and outside linebacker Brenton Cox.
For a second consecutive week, Malik Heath is up over Toure at receiver.
The Steelers will be without three defensive starters, as well. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and defensive tackle Montravius Adams – a former Packers third-round draft pick – are inactive and linebacker Cole Holcomb went on injured reserve this week. Fitzpatrick and Holcomb lead the team in tackles.
