Green Bay Packers quarterback Eric Stokes returned to his seat Wednesday for his third training camp practice: on the field and in action.
The 2021 first-round draft pick intercepted not one, but two passes, and also intercepted another that intercepted his pass.
The Packers and Stokes are hoping he returns to his rookie form, when he was a regular starter. He had one interception in his first season and led the team with 14 pass breakups in 16 games, including 14 starts.
Unfortunately, injuries have been a major reason Stokes hasn’t been as productive. He started the first nine games of 2022 but didn’t record a single interception or pass breakup before suffering a season-ending leg injury. Stokes has yet to fully recover from his early season in 2023. He appeared in just three games, making six tackles, before being placed on the injured reserve list after suffering multiple hamstring injuries.
Now Stokes is feeling his antique self again. And playing the same way.
On Wednesday, he had his first interception, jumping a pass intended for Dontayvion Wicks. His second came on a deep pass to Christian Watson that Stokes played perfectly.
“I have to say I had a great day,” Stokes said.
The 25-year-old cornerback tried not to oversell his substantial day, but eventually admitted how much it meant to him after everything he’s been through.
“I remember a lot of days when I was just there, I mean I wasn’t even there, I was just standing on the sideline and watching other people play,” he said. “So now it feels great to be able to play a little bit and have some fun.”
The team did not pick up Stokes’ fifth-year option this offseason, likely due to his injury history and the emergence of Carrington Valentine last season. Stokes is expected to compete with Valentine for a starting spot throughout camp and has made a robust case in his favor so far.
However, Stokes will not be putting too much pressure on himself in a contract year. His main goal this season is to get as much time on the pitch as possible. From there, everything else will fall into place.
“Just be there and don’t miss a game. That’s my biggest thing,” Stokes said, half-joking. “Just be there, stay 100 percent healthy and let everything else flow. I know what I can do when I’m there, and just being there is the most important thing for me.”
