Packers’ Jaire Alexander ‘Surprised’ After Team Suspended Him For Coin Flip Mistake

Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander said Wednesday that he did not expect the team to suspend him for his coin-flip mistake against the Panthers in Week 16. Alexander returned to practice this week and should appear in some capacity for Green Bay this weekend.

“Yeah, I was surprised by the suspension,” Alexander said Wednesday, according to ESPN, after his first practice since the suspension. “I thought maybe I’d get fined.”

Alexander was suspended for one game by the team after going out for the opening coin toss against the Panthers. Green Bay’s captains are usually the only ones who go out for the toss. The cornerback misspoke after the Packers won the flip and nearly awarded Carolina with the right to receive for both halves.

Though Alexander did not see the suspension coming, he told reporters that it was productive and improved his relationship with the team. The star defender, who has been hampered by injuries in the 2023 season, described the suspension as a good step forward.

“Yeah, I think it was definitely something to learn from,” Alexander said. “There’s definitely things that I could have improved upon during that week to help with communication. Moving forward, that won’t happen again.”

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur did not say whether Alexander would start in Week 18 against the Chicago Bears but did say that it was good to have Alexander back. Green Bay has multiple paths to the playoffs but all of them, involve a win over Chicago, making it more than likely that Alexander will play if he is prepared and healthy.

Without Alexander in Week 17, the Packers dismantled the Minnesota Vikings 33-10 on Sunday Night Football to keep their postseason hopes alive. The team is trending in the right direction as playoffs approach, with quarterback Jordan Love resembling a rising star in the back half of his sophomore campaign.