Packers Preseason Week 1 Inactives: Bakhtiari, Alexander Out on Friday

Green Bay Packers face Cincinnati Bengals in preseason opener; only nine players held out of action, including injured players.

The Green Bay Packers are set to kick off their preseason schedule with a Friday Night matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. This game will be televised locally on the Packers Television Network and nationally on NFL Network, giving fans across the country a chance to watch the action.

Earlier in the week, the Packers and Bengals had a joint practice, providing valuable snaps for both teams. However, the Bengals' first-team units are mostly being held out of tonight's game, as they got plenty of work in during the practice sessions.

On the Packers' side, head coach Matt LaFleur has opted to hold out just nine players from tonight's action. This is a smaller number compared to LaFleur's previous teams, indicating a desire to give more players an opportunity to showcase their skills. The list of inactives includes players who are either recovering from injuries or currently dealing with them. It's not surprising to see these individuals sidelined for the preseason opener.

One player who catches the eye on the inactive list is Jaire Alexander. The cornerback has been limited to individual periods in recent practices, raising questions about his readiness for game action. However, it's important to note that during the preseason, teams are not required to disclose detailed injury information, so the extent of Alexander's ailment remains unknown.

While LaFleur hasn't publicly confirmed whether the starters will see playing time in the preseason, reports suggest that quarterback Jordan Love will get a chance to showcase his skills tonight. NFL Network's Bridget Condon reported that Love is expected to play "a series or two" along with most of the other starters for the Packers.

Warmup reports indicate that Love's protection tonight will be affected by the absence of offensive tackle David Bakhtiari. ESPN's Rob Demovsky provides insight into what the offensive line will look like without Bakhtiari on the field, giving us a glimpse into the challenges Love may face.

In conclusion, the Packers' preseason opener against the Bengals promises to be an exciting matchup. While the Bengals' first-team units will mostly be resting, the Packers will have the opportunity to evaluate their depth and give players a chance to shine. Keep an eye out for Jordan Love and how he performs in his limited playing time, as well as how the team adjusts without key players like Jaire Alexander and David Bakhtiari.