The Green Bay Packers will return rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper from a hamstring injury that cost him the last three games.
Coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Cooper will play Sunday night against the Seattle Seahawks after missing almost a month with a hamstring injury.
“He was doing a really good job (before the injury). It’s going to be great to get him back out there,” LaFleur said Friday. “He obviously brings an element, in terms of his speed and athleticism, adds another dimension to our defense.”
Cooper suffered the hamstring injury during practice on the Wednesday before playing the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12. 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 for Week 8 after producing a sack, forced fumble and pass breakup during the Packers’ win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Before the injury, Cooper was on the field for at least 60 percent of defense’s snaps in five straight games, including a season-high 51 snaps during the Packers’ win over the Chicago Bears.
It’s unclear if the Packers will ease Cooper back into the mix at linebacker. Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson have handled the majority of reps at the position with Cooper out.
In related injury news, the Packers won’t have rookie defensive back Javon Bullard, who is out with an ankle injury, or cornerback Jaire Alexander, who is still attempting to recover from a knee ligament injury. Receiver Romeo Doubs and safety Evan Williams are both out of concussion protocol and will be available to play against the Seahawks.
