The Packers finally have the necessary depth at corner

With Kevin King set to miss time with a groin injury, at least the Green Bay Packers have guys who can step up while their number one corner gets healthy.

Green Bay Packers‘ corner Kevin King has yet to practice this week as he’s battled a groin injury that first crept up in week one against the Chicago Bears. Last week, King exited the game during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings and never returned. The Packers defense was unable to mitigate the likes of Kirk Cousins who finished with 425 yards and four touchdowns. King is hard-pressed to play in Week 3 against the Washington Redskins, however, the Packers have had all week to prepare without their top corner.

In the past, an injury to the secondary would completely debilitate Green Bay’s defense. It happened last year after King was placed on injured reserve due to a lingering shoulder injury. The defense, especially corners, were unable to step up and make plays.

Thankfully, this year’s team is better equipped to handle this situation. In the offseason, they brought back veteran Tramon Williams and used their top two draft picks on promising young corners Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson. Both have had productive starts to their rookie seasons.

When King exited against Minnesota, Davon House was the next man up in the rotation. He promptly gave up a 75-yard touchdown to Stefon Diggs and reminded fans why they dreaded seeing him lined up at corner for all of 2017. After finishing the game having allowed three catches for 88 yards Pro Football Focus gave House a horrendous grade of 30.

Head coach Mike McCarthy was the first to point how poorly the team responded to King’s injury.

“We probably didn’t handle Kevin King’s injury very well,” McCarthy said Monday. “We just weren’t as detailed down the stretch. It was obviously an ability for them to extend drives and they hit the big play there on the touchdown, too.”

The Packers have had terrible luck with their cornerback play dating back to 2015, but now they finally appear to be on the upswing. PFF graded Alexander and Jackson as two of the top rookie corners through the first two weeks of the 2018 season with Alexander coming in at number one.

Judging by what he said at Thursday’s press conference, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine would have to agree.

“If you didn’t know who was who and just evaluated our defense the first two weeks you’d be hard pressed to say that Jaire (Alexander) is potentially our top defensive player, if not our top one or two,” Pettine said. “Just his effort, his energy, his playmaking ability. He’s been outstanding and Josh (Jackson) is not far behind.”

Green Bay would prefer to have King on the field against the Redskins, but at least this time they won’t feel overwhelmed. Alexander said following Wednesday’s meetings he spent time practicing outside with the expectation King won’t be available. His fellow rookie in Jackson could also see more time playing outside corner after the spending the first two weeks as more of a floating third safety.

Regardless of who lines up in King’s place, the Packers should be better prepared for what comes their way going forward.