Packers vs. Steelers Inactives: Jaire Alexander and Quay Walker Out
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers will be without two key members of their defensive unit against Pittsburgh. Here is a look at the full inactives list and what you need to know.
Packers Inactives
Jaire Alexander
Quay Walker
Caleb Jones
Samori Toure
Brenton Cox
Not surprisingly, the Packers will be without Alexander and Walker, both of whom were listed as doubtful on Friday’s final injury report. Alexander is dealing with a shoulder injury that he suffered against Los Angeles last Sunday. Walker is still working through a groin injury that popped up last Friday.
Without Alexander, presumably, it will be Corey Ballentine who gets the start across from Carrington Valentine on the boundary. Ballentine has been a core special teams player when active for Green Bay this season but also played 80 defensive snaps in Weeks 3 and 4. He has shown that he is a capable tackler, and in coverage during those two games, he allowed four receptions on six targets at just over 12 yards per catch.
"”I feel good about it,” said Ballentine about his progress this season. “I feel that it’s a work in progress that doesn’t happen overnight. I feel like it’s coming along. I feel like I’ve been making more plays in practice. I have an opportunity, and I feel like it’s all there for the taking, for really for anybody that wants to take it."
With Walker out, Isaiah McDuffie will get the start again. McDuffie has shown very good instincts and has been particularly good against the run. We will also see Eric Wilson get some snaps during obvious passing situations.
The Steelers have struggled to get the run game going this season, but the Green Bay linebackers will have to play a key role in limiting yards after the catch (YAC) opportunities on short area throws and muddying things up over the middle on intermediate routes, where Kenny Pickett likes to target George Pickens. Pickens ranks among the best in yards per catch this season and in picking up YAC.
Not listed as an inactive is Rudy Ford, who missed last week’s game with a calf injury. Although rookie Anthony Johnson filled in well, I would still expect Ford and Jonathan Owens to be the starters at safety. Like the linebackers, both Ford and Owens are going to have to play key roles in limiting YAC potential for this Steelers offense and creating some havoc over the middle. Given that Pickett does not push the ball downfield, I would like to see Joe Barry playing his safeties closer to the line of scrimmage.
The Packers will choose to go heavy at the safety position by keeping Zayne Anderson active, which, with Ford’s return, gives them six on the active roster. Anderson made his Packers’ debut last week and played seven special teams snaps, recording one tackle. So on the inactives list is edge rusher Brenton Cox, which has become the norm this season. Even if available, Cox’s role would be small to non-existent given that the Packers have primarily utilized a four-man edge rusher rotation this season.
Lastly, as was the case last week, Caleb Jones will be inactive, which means that both Jon Runyan and Yosh Nijman – who were listed as questionable – will be available for today’s game. The Green Bay offensive line faces a difficult test against a very disruptive Steelers pass rush. This season is essentially another developmental year for Jones.
"“I think it affects a lot,” said Love of going up against the Steelers pass rush. “Offensively, the protection, where we are sliding to, making sure we are getting as many hands on those guys. Just always knowing where they are at. Knowing how they like to rush. Just watching them throughout the week and what they like to do. Like I said, you just have to have a feel for where they are at.”"
Malik Heath will get the start over Samori Toure for the second week in a row. Heath’s role will continue to be small. With how active the tight ends and running backs are in the passing game, along with the number of two running back and tight end sets the Packers utilize, there isn’t a huge need for a sixth wide receiver. Against the Rams, Heath saw seven snaps on offense and was targeted twice but had no receptions and a drop.
What this does tell us, however, is that Heath has now jumped Toure on the depth chart, and what we saw last week wasn’t a fluke. Toure has caught just five of his 11 targets this season at 12.4 yards per catch.
Josh Myers, Kenny Clark, Yosh Nijman, Rudy Ford, and Jon Runyan were all listed on the injury report as questionable on Friday but will be available for today’s game.