CB King and LB Barnes return to Packers practice, three starters out on Wednesday

Mike Spofford of Packers.com let us know today that both cornerback Kevin King and inside linebacker Krys Barnes were participating in practice today after both missed last week’s game due to their status in the league’s concussion protocol. He also noted that cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder), left tackle Elgton Jenkins (ankle), and center Josh Myers (unknown) were not practicing today.

King was the Packers’ starting right cornerback until his injury, giving rookie Eric Stokes two weeks of film in his absence. King was also rotated into the slot against Detroit, something he hasn’t typically done in his career as a Packer. It will be interesting to see how the Green Bay secondary looks like on their opening snap of Week 5, with Alexander likely out for their matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The best bet at this point is that King and Stokes are both starting outside, but we have been given no indication on who will lineup on specific sides of the field. If or when Alexander returns from his shoulder injury this season, King very well could be coming off the bench to play in the slot, as Stokes has played well in the time that King has been in concussion protocol.

Barnes returning to the field gives De’Vondre Campbell, on pace for a Pro Bowl season, someone consistent next to him on base downs. In Barnes’ absence, Ty Summers entered the 49ers game as the team’s “next man up,” but struggled early enough against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week that the “starter” was slowly rotated out of the defense for Oren Burks, who typically has only played defense in sub-packages.

Despite the fact that Summers entered Week 4 as the “starter,” he played just 9 snaps to Burks’ 36 and Campbell’s 60. If Barnes is healthy enough to play, he will likely start against the Bengals this week next to Campbell.