Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is feeling optimistic about two of his team's key defensive players, Jaire Alexander and Za'Darius Smith.

According to Zach Kruse of Packers Wire, Rodgers believes both Alexander and Smith will play again for the Packers this season.

Rodgers made the comments during his weekly hit on The Pat McAfee Show.

Smith, the team's best pass rusher, has been out since the team's Week 1 loss to the New Orleans Saints due to back surgery. Rodgers said there's “growing optimism” that he'll return to the field at some point.

Alexander, one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL who made the All-Pro team in 2020, has been on injured reserve since Week 4 with a shoulder injury. The Packers are holding out hope that he can return before the end of the season.

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Green Bay has won seven games in a row since their blowout loss in Week 1.

Despite the absences to Alexander and Smith, the Packers defense has come up big. On Thursday Night Football last week, they held tough in the final seconds, culminating in an end zone interception from recently-acquired cornerback Rasul Douglas to secure victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Green Bay's road win over the previously-undefeated Cardinals was all the more impressive considering the absences on the other side of the ball. The Packers were without their three top receivers: Davante Adams (COVID-19 protocols), Allen Lazard (COVID-19 protocols) and Marques Valdez-Scantling (hamstring). They've also been without star left tackle David Bakhtiari, among other injured starters.

The Packers will head to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9.