For the first time since early October, the Green Bay Packers will have starting cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Kevin King on the field together.
Alexander and King were both removed from the injury report on Friday and will play on Sunday against veteran quarterback Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts.
Alexander progressed through the league’s concussion protocol, missing one game. King is returning after missing five straight games with a quad injury.
The last time the Packers had both available? Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine praised backups Josh Jackson and Ka’dar Hollman, who have each played more snaps over the last month with the Packers dealing with so many injuries at cornerback.
It will be good to get Alexander and King back, especially this week.
Rivers, now in his 17th season, is a big step up from Jake Luton, the rookie quarterback who struggled against the Packers last week, and Alexander and King should provide an ideal tandem for combating veteran T.Y. Hilton and rookie Michael Pittman.
Pre-concussion, Alexander was emerging as the NFL’s next shutdown cornerback. He may see plenty of Hilton, a four-time Pro Bowler and once an annual threat for 1,000 receiving yards. In 2020, the 31-year-old Hilton is averaging career-lows in catches per game (3.3) and yards per target (6.6).
King could have the ideal athletic profile for covering Pittman, the 34th overall pick in the 2020 draft. King is 6-3 and ran 4.4 in the 40-yard dash, while Pittman stands 6-4 and ran 4.5. The rookie set career-highs in catches (7) and receiving yards (101) last week against the Titans.
Pettine’s defense needs to cover well on the backend if the pass-rush is to affect Rivers in the pocket. The Colts quarterback has taken only nine sacks this season.
The Packers should be fully loaded at cornerback again, with Chandon Sullivan in the slot and Jackson and Hollman now reassuming reserve roles behind Alexander and King.
