The Green Bay Packers might have snatched a 17-14 win from the Buccaneers on Sunday, but it sounds like they just took an absolute gut punch to their defense. Sources are telling CBS Sports that star third-year linebacker Edgerrin Cooper is feared to have sustained a torn Achilles tendon. This is just brutal news, especially this early in the season. Cooper had to be carted off the field, and if this tear is confirmed, his season is done.
Coach LaFleur’s Crushing Confirmation
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur pretty much confirmed CBS Sports’ report after the game. He straight up said Cooper’s Achilles injury is “not good,” and that he’d “suspect” it’s going to be a season-ending injury. That’s about as clear as it gets without an official diagnosis. Cooper, a 24-year-old second-round draft pick from 2024 out of Texas A&M, has really been coming into his own as one of the league’s top young linebackers. Losing him, even temporarily, is a massive blow.
A Massive Blow to a Developing Defense
This isn’t just any player either. Cooper was an emerging defensive star for Green Bay. He piled up 205 total tackles in his first two seasons. This year, through just three and a half games, he already had 30 tackles and three sacks before he got hurt. On Sunday against Tampa Bay, he was crushing it with nine tackles and a sack before the injury forced him out. The Packers secured that 17-14 win to move to 2-2, but this injury casts a huge shadow over that victory. How do you replace that kind of production and leadership from a young, rising star?
Green Bay is 2-2 now, and they’ve got a tough matchup next week against the 3-1 Bears. Losing Cooper changes everything for that defense heading into what’s going to be a crucial divisional game. It’ll be a true test to see how they rally without one of their key playmakers on the field.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply