Packers-49ers Injury Report: Hamstring Sidelines Edgerrin Cooper

A key member of the Green Bay Packers’ defense did not practice on Thursday as the team gets ready for Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Plus, there are big questions in San Francisco.

Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper closes in on Lions receiver Tim Patrick. / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

GREEN BAY, Wis. – One of the Green Bay Packers’ top defensive players, rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, did not practice on Thursday. His absence puts his status for Sunday’s NFC showdown against the San Francisco 49ers in some doubt.

“We’ll see how he’s feeling tomorrow. But, yeah, for sure” there is concern for Sunday, coach Matt LaFleur said.

Cooper went through drills while reporters were present on Wednesday but popped up on the injury report as limited participation with a hamstring injury. That injury was sustained at practice and was not something that occurred during the victory at Chicago.

Cooper is fifth on the team with 47 tackles and has added 2.5 sacks, five tackles for losses, four quarterback hits, two passes defensed and one forced fumble.

For the 49ers, stud defensive end Nick Bosa (hip/oblique) and premier left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) did not practice.

Plus, quarterback Brock Purdy, who had a sore throwing shoulder after the Seattle game did some light throwing at the start of practice, talked to a trainer and walked off the field. Officially, he was limited participation. Interestingly, his Thursday news conference was pushed back until Friday.

“Brock Purdy, from everything I've been told, should be fine for this game on Sunday against the Packers,” NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported.

Cooper recorded at least six tackles in four of the last five games; the exception was Week 7 against Houston, when he had two tackles for losses. A week later, he earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance at Jacksonville, which included a sack/strip that the Packers turned into a key touchdown, and a sensational pass breakup.

“Yeah, it means something to me, but how I look at it is if I’m doing my job right, all that stuff is going to come,” Cooper said at the time. “Just focus on what I’ve got to do, go out there, don’t make no errors, go out there and make plays and all that stuff comes toward me.”

If Cooper can’t play, there would be more opportunities for Eric Wilson and Isaiah McDuffie as the linebacker(s) alongside middle linebacker Quay Walker against the 49ers’ powerhouse offense. Walker leads the team with 72 tackles, McDuffie is second with 56 and Wilson leads the squad with seven tackles for losses.

Cooper was the 45th pick of this year’s draft and was the first linebacker off the board following an All-American final season at Texas A&M in which he led the SEC in tackles for losses.

He’s played only 45 percent of the defensive snaps this season but played a season-high 70.8 percent against the Bears on the heels of a career-high 66.7 percent against the Lions.

“Obviously, he had a little bit of a setback in training camp [due to injury], which always for a young player is tough when you miss that much time on the field,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said recently.

“But just like he was in college, when you put him on the field, he makes dynamic plays. He’s still working through some of the details and intricacies of our defense but, when he’s out there, you feel him. He certainly brings an element of speed on that field and he’s a natural playmaker. Excited for him, where he can go. I think there’s a lot of really good football ahead of him.”

Among all rookie defenders, he is fourth with 52 tackles (including special teams). He is first among rookie linebackers in tackles and tackles for losses. Cooper and Rams outside linebacker Jared Verse are the only rookies with two-plus sacks and 40-plus tackles.

“I’ve said this before, but eyes, feet, hands, violent finish,” position coach Anthony Campanile said recently. “And when your eyes are right, your feet will be right. Your feet are right, your hands are going to be right. And then, at the end of every play, there’s got to be a violent finish. At the point of attack, that has to happen.

“Whether you’re disengaging a block, finishing a tackle, breaking a drive in zone coverage, rushing the passer or finishing downfield in coverage, there has to be a violent finish. And usually that dictates whether there’s a positive or negative outcome on the play. But I think his eyes have gotten much better and, because of that, he’s having a lot of production.”

Cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) did not practice for a second consecutive day. He discussed the injury after practice with The Athletic's Matt Schneidman.

Everyone else on the active roster practiced inside the Don Hutson Center on Thursday due to the wet field and fierce wind. 

Packers Thursday Injury Report

Did not participate: CB Jaire Alexander (knee), LB Edgerrin Cooper.

Limited: DT Kenny Clark (toe), RB Josh Jacobs (quad/calf), C Josh Myers (wrist), LT Rasheed Walker (knee), S Evan Williams (hamstring), DT Colby Wooden (shoulder).

Full: LG Elgton Jenkins (rest on Wednesday).

49ers Thursday Injury Report

Did not participate: LB Talum Bethune (knee), DE Nick Bosa (hip/oblique), WR Jacob Cowing (concussion), DT Kevin Givens (groin), LT Trent Williams (ankle).

Limited: C Jon Feliciano (knee), RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles), TE George Kittle (hamstring), QB Brock Purdy (right shoulder), CB Charvarius Ward (personal).

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The #Packers have one huge advantage over the 49ers. ⬇️https://t.co/0WRWlnwsTf

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) November 21, 2024

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