Packers Suspend Jaire Alexander Following Team Captain, Coin Toss Near-Blunder at Carolina

The Green Bay Packers have suspended cornerback Jaire Alexander, the team announced Wednesday for conduct detrimental to the team after almost costing the Packers a possession during the pregame coin toss of Sunday's 33-30 win at the Carolina Panthers -- a coin toss Alexander wasn't supposed to be part off.

The coin toss is reserved for team captains and Alexender isn't one for the Packers. However, he walked out for and called the coin toss for the Packers — without consulting head coach Matt LaFleur — and won it. Instead of saying the Packers wanted to defer until the second half, though, he said the Packers wanted to start on defense.

"I said, 'I want our defense to be out there,' and they all looked at me like I was crazy," Alexander said after Sunday's game. "I'm like, I mean it's pretty simple what I said, like I want the defense to be out there. They like, 'You mean defer?' and I'm like, 'Yeah, I guess.'"

Luckily for Alexander, referee Alex Kemp clarified Alexander's decision. However, things could've turned out differently as the referees could've awarded the Panthers the ball to begin both halves.

"The decision to suspend a player is never easy and not one we take lightly," said Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst.

"Unfortunately, Jaire's actions prior to the game in Carolina led us to take this step. As an organization, we have an expectation that everyone puts the team first. While we are disappointed, we had a good conversation with Jaire this morning and fully expect him to learn from this as we move forward together. We look forward to welcoming him back next week as he is a valued member of this team and will continue to be in the future."

Alexander, a Charlotte native, was playing for the first time in six games due to a shoulder injury. Now, he will miss a pivotal Sunday Night Football matchup as the Packers travel to play the Minnesota Vikings.

Both teams are 7-8 this season, and can only make the playoffs via the NFC Wild Card as the Detroit Lions (11-4) clinched the NFC North with Sunday's win against the Vikings.

Both teams are one game out of the final NFC Wild Card spot with the Vikings holding on to the eighth seed, and the Packers holding the 10th seed — the Atlanta Falcons are sandwiched between the two.

Alexander is slated to return for the Packers' season finale against the arch rival Chicago Bears (6-9).