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Alexander out, Watson questionable for Packers

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) celebrates after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 34-0. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers have listed safety Javon Bullard (ankle), receiver Christian Watson (knee) and linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper (ankle) as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Linebacker Quay Walker (ankle), safety Evan Williams (quadricep), offensive lineman Andre Dillard (concussion) and cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) have been ruled out.

Alexander didn’t practice on Friday after being estimated as a full participant Wednesday and participating on a limited basis Thursday.

Watson didn’t practice this week, but Head Coach Matt LaFleur told reporters afterwards the door is “still open” for him to play in Minnesota.

The Vikings have ruled out cornerback Fabian Moreau (hip) and listed linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (hamstring) as questionable.

Green Bay (11-4) at Minnesota (13-2)

Sunday, 3:25 p.m., Fox

Packers player to watch

QB Jordan Love had a roller-coaster performance against Minnesota earlier this season, going 32 of 59 for 389 yards with four touchdown passes to establish career highs in all four categories, but he also matched his career most with three interceptions as Green Bay’s comeback from a 28-0 deficit fell short. Love has eight TD passes and no interceptions over his past five games.

Vikings player to watch

RB Aaron Jones, who will face his former team for the second time, has 440 total yards and four TDs from scrimmage over the past five games. Though the 30-year-old is averaging a career-low 4.5 yards per rush, he topped the 1,000-yard mark last week for the fourth time in eight seasons. Jones has 233 carries, three short of his career high. He had 139 total yards from scrimmage against the Packers in Week 4, his second-highest total of the season.

Stats and stuff

The Packers have won nine of their past 11 games to clinch a playoff spot. They’ve been eliminated from NFC North title contention. … The Packers have 2,209 rushing yards this season, which represents their highest total since 2003, when they had 2,558. … Packers RB Josh Jacobs has rushed for a TD in six straight games. He’s one away from the franchise record set by Paul Hornung, who scored in seven straight games in 1960. … Jacobs is the fifth player in Packers history to reach the 1,200-yard mark, following Jim Taylor (1961-62), Dorsey Levens (1997), Ahman Green (2001-03) and Ryan Grant (2008-09). … The Packers offense has allowed three sacks and committed just two turnovers over their past five games. This is the first time since the 1970 merger that the Packers have allowed three or fewer sacks and have committed two turnovers or fewer over a five-game span. … Keisean Nixon is the first Packers DB with multiple sacks and multiple forced fumbles in a season since Tramon Williams in 2013. … The Vikings have won eight straight games and are tied with Detroit for the NFC North lead and control of the No. 1 seed for the playoffs. If they lose to the Packers, the Lions clinch the division. If they win, they’ll set up a division title game in Detroit in Week 18. … O’Connell is the third coach in NFL history to win at least 13 games in two of his first three regular seasons, joining LaFleur (2019-21) and San Francisco’s George Seifert (1989-91). … Vikings QB Sam Darnold is the seventh QB in NFL history with 13 or more wins as a starter in his first season with a team, following Dak Prescott (2016, Cowboys), Peyton Manning (2012, Broncos), Steve McNair (2006, Ravens), Ben Roethlisberger (2004, Steelers), Earl Morrall (1968, Colts), Daryle Lamonica (1967, Raiders). … Vikings WR Justin Jefferson has 92 receptions for 1,387 yards. In just his fifth season, Jefferson can become the fifth player in NFL history with three seasons of 100 receptions and 1,500 yards, joining Andre Johnson, Marvin Harrison, Antonio Brown and Julio Jones. … Vikings OLB Andrew Van Ginkel had two sacks against the Seahawks to raise his career high to 11 for the season. He has joined Jason Taylor (2006, Dolphins) as the only players in NFL history since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 with 10-plus sacks and at least two interception returns for touchdowns in the same season. Taylor was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year that season. … The Vikings lead the NFL with 22 interceptions. Their team record is 27, set in 16 games in 2003.

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