Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper will not play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers due to a hamstring injury suffered during Wednesday’s practice.
Cooper, who appeared in all 10 games to begin his rookie season, did not practice Thursday or Friday.
While LaFleur doesn’t think the soft tissue injury will be a long-term issue, it’s possible Cooper will struggle to play on short notice next Thursday against the Miami Dolphins.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander did not practice at all this week and is not expected to play Sunday, leaving the Packers defense without two preferred starters.
A second-round pick out of Texas A&M, Cooper has played at least 60 percent of the defense’s snaps in each of the last five games. His speed and playmaking ability have helped make the Packers more disruptive against the run and against the quarterback over the past two months. Cooper has a tackle for loss or quarterback hit in five of the last eight games.
Without Cooper on Sunday, the Packers will rely on starter Quay Walker and veterans Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson at linebacker. McDuffie has started all 10 games this season, while Wilson — who leads the team with seven tackles for loss — was a game-changer in wins over the Colts and Texans earlier this season.
