Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper will not play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers because of a hamstring injury suffered during Wednesday’s practice.
Cooper, who appeared in all 10 games to start his rookie season, didn’t practice Thursday or Friday.
While LaFleur does not think the soft-tissue injury will be a long-term issue, it’s possible Cooper will be hard-pressed to play on a short turnaround next Thursday against the Miami Dolphins.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander didn’t practice at all this week and isn’t 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 blitzing the quarterback over the last two months. Cooper has a tackle for loss or a 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 — has made game-changing plays in wins over the Colts and Texans earlier this season.
