The Green Bay Packers suspended cornerback Jaire Alexander for one video game on Wednesday for conduct damaging to the group originating from his coin-toss mistake recently that almost cost the club an ownership.
Alexander will miss out on Green Bay’s video game versus the host Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
“The choice to suspend a gamer is never ever simple and not one we ignore. Jaire’s actions prior to the video game in Carolina led us to take this action,” Packers basic supervisor Brian Gutekunst stated in a declaration on Wednesday. “As a company, we have an expectation that everybody puts the group. While we are dissatisfied, we had a great discussion with Jaire today and totally anticipate him to gain from this as we progress together. We anticipate inviting him back next week as he is a valued member of this group and will continue to remain in the future.”
The event happened at the beginning of the Packers’ narrow 33-30 win over the Carolina Panthers last Sunday. Alexander, who was not a designated video game captain, signed up with the coin toss at midfield anyhow, properly called tails however didn’t state “postpone” when asked by referee Alex Kemp.
“I stated, ‘I desire our defense to be out there,’ and they all took a look at me like I was insane,” Alexander stated later. “I’m like, I indicate it’s quite easy what I stated, like I desire the defense to be out there. They like, ‘You imply delay?’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I think.'”
Had Kemp not confirmed on Alexander’s intent, the Panthers would have gotten the very first and second-half kick-offs.
“That was a huge error,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur stated of Alexander’s call. “That’s something that you examine with the guys before they head out there each time about, ‘Hey, we win the toss, we’re going to postpone.’ I went to the authorities before the video game, ensured they understood what we were going to do. We had an event previously this year where we had a comparable scenario, so constantly attempting to be proactive because technique.”
The Packers, who select captains week-to-week rather of designating season-long captains, had their 3 video game captains out there and Alexander wasn’t among them. Neither LaFleur nor Alexander stated whether consent was asked or given to be out there for the coin toss. “I do not believe Coach understood I was from Charlotte,” Alexander stated. “It was, I indicate, the guys backed me up. They understood I was from here.”
Alexander is a two-time Pro Bowler however he has actually been obstructed by a shoulder injury this season. He has 26 deals with, 4 pass separations and a forced fumble in 6 video games (all starts) this season.
Sunday’s video game was the very first time Alexander had actually been active given that 5 Novemeber, when he sustained a shoulder injury versus the Rams. Alexander had actually been practicing however was made non-active on gamedays, causing speculation that something beyond the injury was keeping him out of the Green Bay lineup.
The Packers (7-8) are still in contention for a wild-card berth. Sunday’s video game at Minnesota (7-8) is a must-win.