Packers will be without Jaire Alexander against the Chiefs, but Darnell Savage and De’Vondre Campbell are active

GREEN BAY − There have been plenty of games the Green Bay Packers have played without cornerback Jaire Alexander and running back Aaron Jones − two pillars of their roster − this season, but few where their absences will be this significant.

Alexander is inactive for Sunday night's game against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Jones was ruled out Friday, so his inactive is less surprising. Neither is ideal for a team hoping to pull off a home upset against one of the NFL's best teams.

Without Alexander, who is missing his fourth straight game because of a shoulder injury, Mahomes will be throwing against rookie seventh-round draft pick Carrington Valentine and backup cornerback Corey Ballentine. Both have played well over the past month, but tonight will be a different kind of test.

The Packers will have safety Darnell Savage, who was activated off injured reserve Saturday. Savage has missed the past five games with a calf injury. They'll have to decide who to start alongside the veteran. Rudy Ford is active after being listed questionable with a biceps and groin injury, but veteran Jonathan Owens has played well in Ford's place, including a fumble returned for touchdown last week in Detroit.

Linebacker De'Vondre Campbell is active after missing last week's game because of a neck injury. He and fellow linebacker Quay Walker haven't had much time together this season because of injuries, but the duo has been dynamic when paired on the second level of the Packers defense. Campbell's availability should help against Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco.

It's Alexander the Packers needed most in this game. Without him, the Packers will be forced to cover against Mahomes without their top corner. Alexander hasn't played since injuring his shoulder while diving to tip a pass he deflected for an interception against the Los Angeles Rams.

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Jones will miss his fifth game this season, though injuries have hampered him since Week 1. The Packers will have rookie receivers Jayden Reed (chest) and Dontayvion Wicks, who were both listed as questionable. AJ Dillon will handle the bulk of carries, but the Packers also elevated tailback James Robinson from the practice squad to the active roster for game day.

Along with Alexander and Jones, outside linebacker Brenton Cox Jr., offensive tackle Caleb Jones, tight end Josiah Deguara and receiver Samori Toure are also inactive.

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