Another day, another injury for the Green Bay Packers. Well, at least the injury report is in midseason form.
Quay Walker is the latest player to join the injury report. He is dealing with a groin issue.
Jordan Love didn't practice for the second straight day, making an unlikely Week 2 return even more of a long shot, no matter what Matt LaFleur says. Edgerrin Cooper logged another full practice, while the other four players on the injury report remained limited for another day, including running back Josh Jacobs.
Walker's injury adds further concerns for the Packers at linebacker, but it may force LaFleur and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley into a necessary move.
Player | Injury | Wed. | Thu. |
|---|---|---|---|
Corey Ballentine, CB | Oblique | LP | LP |
Kenny Clark, DL | Toe | LP | LP |
Edgerrin Cooper, LB | Knee | FP | FP |
Josh Jacobs, RB | Back | LP | LP |
MarShawn Lloyd, RB | Hamstring | LP | LP |
Jordan Love, QB | Knee | DNP | DNP |
Quay Walker, LB | Groin | - | LP |
Quay Walker injury may force Packers into playing Edgerrin Cooper (and they should)
The Packers' defense struggled in the season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, notably in the middle of the field. Per PFF, Walker and Isaiah McDuffie combined for four missed tackles, while McDuffie also allowed a touchdown to Saquon Barkley in coverage.
Rookie Edgerrin Cooper only played 11 snaps but made an instant impact. He earned the Packers' highest PFF defensive grade and was credited with three tackles, one stop, and one batted pass. He is still a work in progress, but the Packers need to live with the ups and downs because the second-round pick may already be the team's best linebacker.
LaFleur said he expects Cooper to take more snaps this week but revealed why he only played a limited role in Week 1.
"He went out there early, we had a misalignment, they scored a touchdown, and that hurt his ability to get out on the field until we were like, hey, he's gotta go out there," said LaFleur. "And he started making plays. There's going to be some bumps in the road. There is with every young player. You can't let it deter you."
In other words, LaFleur saw what we all did: Cooper has huge potential in this defense. But he also made some rookie mistakes.
Walker's injury could force the Packers' hand. McDuffie's struggles in Week 1 should already earn Cooper a bigger opportunity, but if Walker is out or limited, Green Bay may need Cooper to start.
And it's a necessary change. Yes, he will make mistakes, but Cooper's game-changing ability is evident. He made an instant impact from the moment he stepped onto the field in Brazil, a quality that has been severely lacking in the middle of the defense.
Cooper needs to play. It's the only way to overcome the rookie obstacles and reach his potential. Walker's injury may give the Packers no choice.