The Packers lost Josh Myers on the first drive of their Week 6 win over the Bears, and the rookie offensive lineman will miss at least the next three Green Bay games.
Myers landed on IR Saturday because of the knee injury he suffered last week. He did not practice this week and will have extra time to recover.
Following Corey Linsley‘s departure for Los Angeles, Green Bay chose Myers in the second round. The Ohio State product immediately became a starter, helping out an O-line that has seen standout guard Elgton Jenkins forced to play left tackle — in David Bakhtiari‘s absence — and miss time due to injury. Working primarily at center, Myers has started five games for the Packers thus far.
Green Bay promoted Ben Braden from its practice squad to help out its offensive front. Bakhtiari returned to practice this week but did not come off the Packers’ PUP list Saturday.
Already down their top pass rusher, the Packers will play without their top cover man for a while. Green Bay placed Jaire Alexander on IR Saturday, shelving the Pro Bowl cornerback for at least the next three games.
Alexander suffered a shoulder injury during the second half of the Packers’ Week 4 win. His absence will deal the Green Bay defense a considerable blow, especially considering Za’Darius Smith is expected to be out until at least late in the regular season.
The Packers’ plan, per HC Matt LaFleur, is for Alexander to avoid surgery at all costs, and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com hears that an official decision will be made in that regard over the next two weeks as doctors evaluate how the shoulder is healing. If surgery is required, that would likely bring an end to Alexander’s 2021 season.
While Green Bay has Preston Smith and Rashan Gary at the edge-rushing spots, the team is a bit less equipped to withstand a prolonged Alexander absence. The Packers will lean on first-round pick Eric Stokes and the recently re-signed Kevin King at corner. They explored a Stephon Gilmore trade but saw their salary cap situation intervene. The Panthers acquired the former Defensive Player of the Year instead.
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings moves are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s NFC North transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
The Packers cut their roster down to 52 players today, providing the organization with some extra flexibility over the next few days. The team announced the following transactions: