Why did the Packers suspend Jaire Alexander? How many games will he miss?

The Green Bay Packers made the bold decision to suspend All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander after his actions before last week's victory over the Carolina Panthers.

The team announced the suspension was due to "conduct detrimental to the team."

"The decision to suspend a player is never easy and not one we take lightly. Unfortunately, Jaire's actions prior to the game in Carolina led us to take this step," said Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst.

Why did the Packers make this decision, and how long will Alexander miss?

Jaire Alexander suspended for actions in Packers coin toss before Panthers game

ESPN's Rob Demovsky reported that Alexander joined his teammates for the pregame coin toss when he wasn't supposed to. Alexander wasn't one of the Packers' three gameday captains.

To make things worse, Alexander almost messed up the Packers' decision after winning the toss. The team wanted to defer, but he told the officials that they wanted their defense on the field.

As Demovsky noted, that could be interpreted in one of two ways, including choosing to kick off in the first half. Had the officials taken it that way, Carolina would've started both halves with possession, which could've cost Green Bay the game.

Alexander gave the Packers little choice but to suspend him.

Packers suspend Jaire Alexander for one game, but it's a big one

The Packers announced that Alexander is suspended for one game. He can return for the regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears in Week 18, but it means he misses this week's crucial divisional showdown with the Minnesota Vikings.

Green Bay has to win to keep its playoff ambitions alive, but that won't be easy without its All-Pro cornerback available, especially in a matchup against Justin Jefferson.

The Packers felt they had no choice but to suspend Alexander. There are clear gameday instructions for the coin toss, and Alexander could've put his team in a difficult position. Considering that Green Bay won by three points, the wrong choice at the coin toss may have cost them the game.

Green Bay must find a way to stop Minnesota's offense without its star cornerback.

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