GREEN BAY, Wis. — For Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, Friday’s practice started just like Thursday’s, with the rookie recuperating in the back corner of the Don Hutson Center alongside other injured players. But Cooper teamed up with fellow linebacker Isaiah McDuffie for some low-impact sprints as the squad ramped up its warmup with a series of running drills. After donning his helmet, Cooper entered the squad huddle and left for Clarke Hinkle Field to begin practice.
The four players who did not practise were tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle), defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (ankle), receiver Christian Watson (ankle), and receiver Romeo Doubs (personal). On Friday afternoon, head coach Matt LaFleur will make the injury report public. Watson and Wyatt, who entered the Hutson Centre with a boot on his right foot, will most likely be sidelined for Sunday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. It’s unclear what Doubs’s situation is. Doubs did not attend the practice on Thursday either. When asked later if Doubs would make a comeback on Friday, LaFleur replied, “I would hope so.”
Could it be that he wouldn’t be able to make it to the game? “I don’t know. We’ll approach things day by day,” LaFleur remarked. The Packers may be depleted offensively against the Rams due to injuries to Watson, Musgrave, and Doubs. To move the ball via the air, Jordan Love may have to rely on tight end Tucker Kraft, receivers Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks.
Julian Hicks is one of three receivers on the practice squad. He spent the entire offseason and training camp with the team so could be in line to be elevated to the gameday roster.
Whether Cooper actually plays against the Rams remains to be seen, but it was good news to see him headed out for practice.
A second-round pick after an All-American final season at Texas A&M, Cooper sat out the entire three-game preseason with a hip injury. That’s the injury that limited Cooper at Wednesday’s practice and kept him off the field on Thursday.
Despite having only played 57 defensive snaps and ranking fourth on the depth chart, Cooper leads rookie off-the-ball linebackers in tackles (including special teams) with 13. Against the Vikings on Sunday, he played a season-high 21 snaps and recorded four tackles, one tackle for loss, and one fumble recovery. On Thursday, Jeff Hafley, the defensive coordinator, stated, “He can accelerate at a really high level.” He really is able to soar. He was going to play more and more and more, which is what we need from him, or he got a little banged up in that game.
He is a physically fit, highly intuitive, and dynamic athlete. Just as we previously discussed, he was absent from the preseason. He’s kind of come and gone lately. We had to leave. I’m thrilled about it when it occurs because he has to be well, practise and play for us. Following practice, this item will be updated with the Packers’ injury report. Here is the Thursday injury report for the time being.
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