The Green Bay Packers designated cornerback Eric Stokes for return from injured reserve on Monday, opening his 21-day practice window and creating the possibility of him returning to play Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Stokes, who missed the Packers’ last five games with a hamstring injury, can now practice with the team for up to three weeks — without counting a spot on the 53-man roster — before he must be activated to roster or sent back to injured reserve. The Packers can activate him at any point during the three-week window.
Stokes injured his hamstring on a special teams snap vs. the Denver Broncos. He missed games against the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions. Players on injured reserve must miss a minimum of four games before being eligible for designation to return.
Stokes has played only four special teams — all in Denver — since suffering significant foot and knee injuries last November in a loss to the Detroit Lions.
The Packers could use Stokes down the stretch. Rasul Douglas was traded to the Buffalo Bills at the deadline and Jaire Alexander has battled back and shoulder injuries. Over the last few weeks, the Packers have started rookie Carrington Valentine at one cornerback spot and former practice squader Corey Ballentine at the other. Keisean Nixon remains the slot corner.
If nothing else, the Packers need to see where Stokes is at physically over the final six games and how he fits into the puzzle at cornerback long-term.
Last week, the Packers designated safety Darnell Savage for return from injured reserve but did not activate him in time to play vs. the Detroit Lions. It’s possible both Stokes and Savage could be available for the Packers come Sunday night against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.