Packers suspend CB after coin toss issue
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander nearly made a costly mistake against the Carolina Panthers, and his actions will cost him a game.
Green Bay has suspended Alexander for their Week 17 game against the Minnesota Vikings, the team announced Wednesday, ahead of a pivotal game in the path to a playoff spot.
The Packers placed Alexander on the reserve/suspended list for “conduct detrimental to the team,” with general manager Brian Gutekunst adding it was done because of his actions on Sunday.
While the Packers did not specifically say why Alexander was suspended, it could be from what transpired during the coin toss before Green Bay’s 33-30 win in Carolina.
In his first game back from a left shoulder injury, Alexander ran out with the captains for the coin flip when he wasn’t supposed to, saying he grew up in Charlotte and it was fitting for him to go out for it.
As the visitors, Alexander called “tails” for the coin flip, which the Packers won. Alexander then told referee Alex Kemp he wanted the Packers to go on defense, meaning Carolina would get the ball first to start the game, and then they could start the second half with the ball again because of the wording.
Luckily, Kemp asked Alexander if he meant to say defer, meaning Carolina chooses what to do in the first half, and Green Bay gets to choose out of halftime.
Alexander said yes, and a crisis was avoided.
The two-time Pro Bowler has played in only six games this season due to injuries.
Green Bay enters Week 17 at 7-8 and at the No. 10 spot in the NFC playoff standings, with still a reasonable chance at making the playoffs.