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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Zach Kruse

Packers CB Jaire Alexander shuts down another No. 1 WR

Jaire Island claimed another castaway on Sunday in Houston.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander shut down Texans receiver Will Fuller during Sunday’s 35-20 victory at RNG Stadium.

According to Next Gen Stats, Alexander covered Fuller – who was coming off back-to-back 100-yard receiving games for the Texans – on 28 of 41 of his routes but allowed no catches on just one target.

Fuller finished with three catches and a touchdown, but Alexander wasn’t in coverage on any of the three receptions.

The performance followed a trend of Alexander completely shutting down an opponent’s No. 1 receiver. Fuller joins Mike Evans and Calvin Ridley as receivers held without a catch in Alexander’s coverage over the last three games.

The Packers’ shutdown cornerback received well-earned praise from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who said no one on the defense is playing better than No. 23.

“I think he deserves a lot of respect and appreciation for how he’s played against some very talented receivers these last few weeks,” Rodgers said.

Alexander came into Week 7 as the highest-graded cornerback in the NFL at Pro Football Focus. Next week, he’ll get another crack at Vikings receiver Adam Thielen, who beat him for a late touchdown in the season opener.

Jaire Alexander in coverage last three games, via Next Gen Stats

Week WR Coverage snaps Catches/targets
4 Calvin Ridley 23/27 0/5
6 Mike Evans 19/24 0/1
7 Will Fuller 28/41 0/1
Totals 70/92 0/7
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