Packers vs. Saints Inactives: 4 defensive starters are out for Green Bay

We have bad news for Green Bay Packers fans: cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) and safety Evan Williams (quadriceps) are both out for the team against the New Orleans Saints. These two defensive backs join nickelback Javon Bullard (ankle) and middle linebacker Quay Walker (ankle), both of whom were sidelined Saturday, as the Packers’ defensive starters who will not play tonight.

There was optimism all week that Alexander, who practiced twice last week and three times this week, could play outside cornerback on Monday. Unfortunately, the coaching staff doesn’t seem confident that his PCL injury has recovered enough to activate him.

Meanwhile, Williams was healthy at practices on Thursday and Friday but did not participate on Saturday. Without Alexander, Williams and Bullard, the expected defensive back lineup against the Saints is Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine at outside cornerback, Keisean Nixon at slot and Xavier McKinney and Zayne Anderson at safety. This will be Anderson’s first NFL start of his career. He has played 64 defensive snaps in his career.

The healthy scratches for this game are receiver Malik Heath and interior offensive lineman Jacob Monk. The Packers also added practice squad safety Omar Brown to the gameday roster on Monday. Brown, an undrafted rookie, has yet to play in an NFL regular season game.

The Saints will rely on down quarterback Derek Carr, running back Alvin Kamar, defensive tackle Khristian Boyd, defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd and, last but not least, receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling – a former Packer.