Green Bay’s injury picture coming out of Week 4 is still a mixed bag, but Matt LaFleur did provide a few important updates Monday - and one of the biggest names remains on the shelf for now.
LaFleur said the Packers will lean on a combination of Isaiah McDuffie and Ty’Ron Hopper to help fill the void left by Edgerrin Cooper, who is done for the year after suffering a ruptured Achilles. That was already the on-field answer on Sunday, so it doesn’t sound like Green Bay is planning any dramatic change there.
At cornerback, Brandon Cisse appears to have avoided the worst-case scenario. LaFleur said Cisse is not in the concussion protocol and that the neck issue is not “anything long-term.” Cisse left the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while being checked for a concussion, and Carrington Valentine took over at right cornerback.
The situation is less clear with running back Chris Brooks. LaFleur said his ankle is still being evaluated, leaving his availability very much up in the air.
Brooks had been out-snapping every other Packers running back through the first four weeks before getting hurt against Tampa. If he can’t go, Green Bay could elevate Pierre Strong Jr. from the practice squad, possibly using the 53-man roster spot that opened up with Cooper’s injury.
Micah Parsons is also not expected to be back on the practice field this week. LaFleur said the edge defender won’t practice, though he added that Parsons is pushing hard to return and has made progress over the last week or so. Still, LaFleur put it plainly: “where and when he’ll be available, time will tell.”
There were no new updates on the other players on the Packers’ IR-designated to return list or physically unable to perform list: Savion Williams, Luke Musgrave, Jordon Riley and Collin Oliver. All four, like Parsons, were first eligible to return to practice in Week 3, with a full return available beginning in Week 5 under NFL rules.
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MarShawn Lloyd has gotten a real look in Green Bay this season, and for stretches he has flashed the kind of versatility that made him an intriguing part of the backfield plan. He has appeared in multiple games, helped as a pass-catcher with nine receptions and a touchdown, and even earned more playing time as injuries and ball-security issues opened the door around him.
The challenge for Lloyd is what has happened when the ball has been in his hands as a runner. His 2.7 yards per carry is the lowest among the Packers running backs, and two recent fumbles have only sharpened the scrutiny. For a team trying to sort out its backfield hierarchy, that leaves Lloyd in a spot where the upside is still visible, but the margin for error feels awfully thin. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Still Searching For Depth At One Spot Fans Are Watching
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With a full 53-man roster and practice squad already in place, any move would require Green Bay to clear space somewhere else, which is why these workouts matter even if nothing follows immediately. The team has been active with visits and tryouts since the deadline passed, and the pattern suggests the Packers are keeping a close eye on a few areas while leaving the door open for a roster shuffle if the right player becomes available. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Suddenly Have One Big Linebacker Decision To Make
Edgerrin Coopers season-ending Achilles injury left the Packers with an immediate opening in the middle of their defense, and it comes at a time when Green Bay has to decide whether to trust what it already has or look outside the building for help. The internal route would keep the answer simple, but the injury also exposes how much the defense was relying on Coopers presence in that spot.
One name worth watching is Matt Milano, a free agent with prior ties to the Packers coaching staff and the kind of background that fits the role Green Bay suddenly needs filled. His recent production has dipped some, but he still brings experience as both a pass rusher and a run defender, which is why he could surface as a real option if the Packers decide they need a more proven solution. [Read more 🡒]