Cabinda’s knee injury kept him out of action since Week 3. The lack of a backup fullback on the team has forced the Lions to deploy a variety of players to fill his position, including rookie tight end Sam LaPorta and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez. With Cabinda back, those players will be able to maintain position, and Detroit will benefit on special teams.
The Lions still have a spot available on their 53-man roster after these two roster adjustments. This week’s probable activation of McNeill and Gardner-Johnson off injured reserve means the Lions will probably need to make at least one more roster move to make room. Another player who could be activated from injured reserve is edge defender James Houston, but Campbell mentioned in a radio.
“Although we are sad, Jaire and I had a productive talk this morning, and we fully anticipate that he will use this as a lesson as we go forward together. He is a valued component of this team and always will be, so we are excited to have him return next week.”
Alexander’s shoulder injury kept him out of Green Bay’s lineup for six games until he returned against Carolina. He was not one of LaFleur’s three weekly captains. Alexander believed he ought to be captain since the game was being played in Charlotte, the city where he was born. He thus created one for himself.
Alexander commented, “I don’t think Coach knew I was from Charlotte,” following the match.
To exacerbate the situation, he nearly cost the Packers a possession.
Alexander stated the defence preferred to be on the field first after the Packers won the toss, instead of stating he preferred to wait until the second half to make the decision. Luckily for the Packers, LaFleur had communicated his preferences in advance to the Alex Kemp-led officiating crew.
“I said, ‘I want our defence to be out there,’ and they all looked at me like I was crazy,” Alexander recalled. “What I said is quite straightforward. “I desire the defence to be publicised.” It’s like, ‘You mean defer?’ And my response is, “Yeah, I suppose.”
Due to the ban, Alexander will not.
