Cooper’s hamstring left him limited on Wednesday and as a non-participant on Thursday
Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper joined cornerback Jaire Alexander as a non-participant in practice on Thursday. According to head coach Matt LaFleur, Cooper injured his hamstring in Wednesday’s practice, leading to his “limited” label on the injury report yesterday. Today, due to the same injury, he’s listed as a full-blown non-participant.
When asked if there is a concern that Cooper might not be able to suit up against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, LaFleur responded with one word: “Yes.” LaFleur did say that it was more of a day-to-day injury than a week-to-week injury, so that’s your silver lining here.
Cooper has gradually been taking on more snaps throughout his rookie season, an impressive feat for a second-rounder who was banged up throughout the summer. If Cooper can’t go against the 49ers, the assumption is that Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie will be the team’s primary linebackers in nickel sets while Eric Wilson will join them as the second outside linebacker in their 4-3 looks. The first man off of the bench would be rookie third-round pick Ty’Ron Hopper, who the team claimed to have a second-round grade on during the draft process. All 132 of Hopper’s snaps this season have come on special teams.
As mentioned before, Alexander, who was pulled out of last Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears, is still out with his knee injury. He was seen riding a bike on the side of practice today. If Alexander isn’t at least a limited participant on Friday, the odds are stacked against him playing versus San Francisco.
Should Alexander miss time, we’re almost guaranteed to see more of cornerback Carrington Valentine, who was the primary outside corner opposite of Keisean Nixon last week. Valentine has put up impressive coverage stats this year in limited playing time, despite having to fight Alexander, Nixon and Eric Stokes to see the field.
The 49ers have yet to have their practice on Thursday, but quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) was a limited participant for their Wednesday practice and tight end George Kittle (hamstring) has already claimed that he’ll be playing against the Packers. That leaves Nick Bosa (hip, obliques) as the final significant question mark for San Francisco going into the game.