Latest on Jaire Alexander, Evan Williams

CHICAGO – With the return of cornerback Jaire Alexander and safety Evan Williams, the Green Bay Packers secondary will be at full strength for Sunday’s game against Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears.

Alexander injured his knee on the final play of the Week 8 win at Jacksonville. He was inactive in the Week 9 loss to Detroit and had Week 10 off to recover.

In practice this week, his participation was limited all three days and his injury report was questionable.

About 10 minutes before the team announced inactives, Alexander met coach Matt LaFleur at the 20-yard line. Moments later, they were joined by defensive passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley. LaFleur walked away and was replaced by defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who hugged Alexander.

From there, Alexander joined his teammates for some pregame stretching.

Green Bay’s inactives are cornerback Robert Rochell, who was promoted from the practice squad Saturday, safety Kitan Oladapo, offensive tackle Travis Glover and defensive tackle Colby Wooden. Wooden (shoulder) is the only player out due to injury.

For the Bears, starting left guard Teven Jenkins is inactive. However, left tackle Braxton Jones, right tackle Darnell Wright and defensive end Montez Sweat will play. Jones and Wright were inactive during last week’s loss to New England, when the Bears allowed nine sacks.

With Alexander and Williams, Green Bay will have its No. 1 secondary available. Before Williams left the Jacksonville game with a hamstring injury, Hafley had Alexander and Keisean Nixon at cornerback, Javon Bullard in the slot and Williams and Xavier McKinney at safeties.

Alexander missed three games in the first half of the season, including NFC North matchups against the Vikings (groin) and Lions (knee). The Packers lost both of those games at Lambeau Field.

Over the past four seasons, Alexander has played 33 games out of a possible 61. He entered Sunday having played 61.8 percent of the defensive snaps.

He was excellent when healthy. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed a 56.0 percent catch rate. He is second on the team with two interceptions and tied with McKinney for first with seven passes defended.

“I think he did a really good job. I thought he got better and better as he progressed,” Hafley said this week. “And it changes a lot of things we can do.” Some people don’t even want to throw themselves into his side, which helps a lot. He is obviously capable of playing with the ball. There is always the threat that he will take it away.

“So I think he’s one of the best. I hope we see this again very soon.

According to Pro Football Focus, all other Green Bay cornerbacks have allowed catch rates of at least 66.7 percent. Alexander, Nixon and Eric Stokes received the most playing time. Nixon allowed a 68.4 percent catch rate with four touchdowns and Stokes allowed a 67.6 percent catch rate with two touchdowns.

Latest Green Bay Packers News

Three reasons why the Packers will lose to the Bears | Three reasons why the Packers will beat the Bears | Time/TV/preview/prediction | Saturday transactions | Jordan Love vs. Aaron Rodgers over 25 starts | Xavier McKinney channels Vince Lombardi | Appendicitis sidelines MarShawn Lloyd | Packers-Bears Final Injury Report | Packers-Bears: five keys | NFC North Power Rankings and Previews | Brenton Cox has his chance | The return of Lukas Van Ness | Game Preview: Packers at Bears | Jordan Love returns to Chicago | Xavier McKinney has beef with DJ Moore | Updated playoff odds | Packers-Bears: TV, history, bets, notes | Packers–Bears matches | No easy solutions in attack | Bears change offensive coordinator | Packers on SI Consensus Power Rankings