When the Green Bay Packers hired former Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley as their defensive coordinator, fans were excited and expected a massive improvement from the defense. Joe Barry’s tenure in Green Bay was highly disappointing, as was that of his predecessor, Mike Pettine.
Also Read: Green Bay Packers: Jaire Alexander Reveals His Injury His Worse than Fans Thought
Hafley promised that, by switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 scheme, the Packers would generate more pressure on the quarterback and be better against the run.
As it turns out, Green Bay currently is struggling with both.
The Packers do have a top ten scoring defense, allowing 21.3 points per game. However, the rank 15th in rushing yards allowed per game (119.6), 15th in total yards allowed per game (329.0), and 17th in sacks (25).
Edgerrin Coopers Has Been a Bright Spot for the Green Bay Packers Defense
As one can see from the stats cited above, Green Bay is not playing poor defense, per say. They are just woefully average. This is disappointing considering the goals both the organization and fans had for that unit prior to the season.
One of the positions that has been underwhelming thus far this season is the linebacker position. Quay Walker has drawn a great deal of criticism from fans throughout the season for his inability to read offenses and plug running lanes. Isaiah McDuffie, who began the season as one of the Packers’ starting linebackers, has seen his role diminish week after week.
In Week One, McDuffie played 97% of the defensive snaps. In Week 11, he played 29%.
Part of the reason why he has been phased out of the defense is because of the play of rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, whom Green Bay drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
So far this season, Cooper has 2.5 sacks, two passes defended, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, five tackles for loss, and 52 tackles.
After playing just 14% of the defensive snaps in Week One, and 13% in Week Two, Cooper played 71% in Week 11 against the Bears.
He is fast, aggressive, and is effective against both the run and the pass. His style of play has quickly made him a fan-favorite in Green Bay, which made LaFleur’s most recent announcement about his young linebacker all the more discouraging.
Green Bay Packers Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper Injured His Hamstring in Practice
While Cooper did not get hurt against the Bears on Sunday, he did pop up on Green Bay’s injury report on Thursday. Apparently, he suffered a hamstring injury in practice on Wednesday and is now questionable for their game against the San Francisco 49ers this weekend.
Knowing how cautious the Packers are with soft tissue injuries (and rightfully so), it will not come as a surprise if Cooper doesn’t play. While LaFleur has not ruled him out, it sounds like fans already have:
McCaffrey and Kittle legacy game incoming. https://t.co/3AaIxugXo9
— Packers Posts (@PackersCenter) November 21, 2024
Cmon man…#GoPackGo🧀#NFL🏈 https://t.co/2OMImckeZp pic.twitter.com/YhRo0w5IyL
— Rip (@Gambling400) November 21, 2024
Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie have to start? Yeah Kittle’s going for 150 yards https://t.co/mfrhaoKixD
— Fly High, Bryan Hudson 😢🙏🏼🕊️🧀🍺 (@GOATRodgersSZN) November 21, 2024
Won’t be back until Detroit game if we are lucky. I’ll be shocked if he plays this week or on the quick turn around for Thanksgiving night. Jaire is probably on the same trajectory unfortunately.
— John DeSomma (@JohnDesomma12) November 21, 2024
Awesome news for Mcaffery fantasy owners
— Pack (@_ratpackjack) November 21, 2024
As one can see, fans are not too optimistic about Green Bay’s ability to stop San Francisco stars Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle.
Other players will need to step up and improve their play so that his [possible] absence is not felt.
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