The Packers may have lost the centerpiece of their defense in the worst possible way.
Edgerrin Cooper was carted off in the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after a non-contact Achilles injury, and Green Bay is now waiting to learn just how serious it is. The team will be hoping it is not a ruptured Achilles, because it did not look promising on the field.
Before leaving, Cooper was everywhere. The 24-year-old piled up nine total tackles, a sack, a pass deflection and an interception against Tampa Bay, turning in one of his best games before the injury stopped it cold.
That kind of impact has become the norm for Cooper, who has taken another step in 2026. He came into the season off a strong rookie year in 2024, when he posted 87 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four pass deflections, an interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He followed that up in 2025 with 118 total tackles, four tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Even with that résumé, he was on track for something even bigger this year. Through four games in 2026, Cooper had 30 total tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, a pass deflection and an interception.
Now the Packers have to figure out life without one of their defensive leaders. Zaire Franklin, the offseason addition who lines up next to Cooper, will keep his spot, while Isaiah McDuffie steps into Cooper’s role.
Franklin has already shown his value early, recording 21 total tackles and a tackle for loss through the first three games. McDuffie has seen limited action in 2026, but he has seven total tackles and a tackle for loss in three games. Last season, he finished with 92 total tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and a pass deflection.
If Cooper is out long-term, Franklin and McDuffie become central pieces at inside linebacker for the rest of the year.
The timing is especially rough for Green Bay because the defense is already without Micah Parsons, who has not played this season while recovering from a torn ACL. That leaves the Packers leaning hard on their depth, with the hope that a positive update on Cooper brings him back before the season is over.
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