The Green Bay Packers will return rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper from a hamstring injury that has cost him the last three games.
Coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Cooper will play Sunday night against the Seattle Seahawks after missing nearly a month with a hamstring injury.
“He was doing a really good job (before the injury). It will be great to get him back on the field,” LaFleur said Friday. “He obviously brings something in terms of speed and athleticism, adds another dimension to our defense.”
Cooper suffered a hamstring injury during Wednesday’s practice before their Week 12 game against the San Francisco 49ers. He missed games against the 49ers, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions.
Cooper, a second-round pick, has 52 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He was the NFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 8 after he forced a sack, forced a fumble and had a pass break up during the Packers’ victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Before the injury, Cooper was on the field for at least 60 percent of the defense’s snaps in five straight games, including a season-high 51 snaps during the Packers’ victory over the Chicago Bears.
It’s unclear whether the Packers will ease Cooper’s return to the linebacker position. Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson took most of the reps at the position without Cooper.
In terms of injury reports, the Packers will be without rookie defensive end Javon Bullard, who is sidelined with an ankle injury, or cornerback Jaire Alexander, who is still trying to recover from a knee ligament injury. Receiver Romeo Doubs and safety Evan Williams are out of the concussion protocol and will be available to play against the Seahawks.
