USAT: Packers Wire audio clip

USAT: Packers Wire

Jan 22, 2022

The Green Bay Packers won’t have All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari on Saturday night against the San Francisco 49ers, but two other All-Pros will make their long-awaited return to the playing field. - Cornerback Jaire Alexander and outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith are both active for the Packers in the divisional round. - Alexander hasn’t played since injuring his shoulder in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Smith has been out since playing 18 snaps in Week 1 because of a lingering back injury. - Alexander has been practicing with the team in a limited capacity for over three weeks. His shoulder is finally healed enough to get back on the field. - Smith, who needed surgery on his back, was activated from injured reserve on Friday, clearing his path to return. - The pair of All-Pro should help bolster two already impressive position groups on defense. Alexander will join Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas, Chandon Sullivan and Kevin King at cornerback, while Za’Darius Smith could supercharge a pass-rushing group featuring Rashan Gary and Preston Smith on the edge. - Also, veteran Whitney Mercilus is active after coming off of injured reserve on Friday, providing another option on the edge. - The offense will also get a boost from the return of slot receiver Randall Cobb, who is active after missing the final five games of the regular season with a core muscle injury. He was injured while catching a touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 28. - Without Bakhtiari, Yosh Nijman is expected to start at left tackle. The Packers will also be without speedy deep threat Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who is out with a back injury. - - List - - 5 keys to Packers beating 49ers in divisional round - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Packers Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Packers Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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