Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes ended Tuesday’s training camp practice by undercutting Jordan Love’s pass to Christian Watson and ending the end-of-game scenario with an interception near the goal line.
The highlight plays have become commonplace for Stokes this summer. Healthy for the first time in almost two years, Stokes is once again showing why the Packers made him a first-round pick in 2021.
“Stokes has looked like the guy we thought he could be. I think he’s done an outstanding job out there,” coach Matt LaFleur said before Tuesday’s practice.
Stokes has at least four interceptions during 11-on-11 work through seven training camp practices. During a July 24 practice, he picked off both Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt. On Tuesday, he got a takeaway against Love and the No. 1 offense.
After suffering a season-ending injury in 2022 and then missing all but three games with recurring hamstring injuries in 2023, Stokes is finally injury-free. And in a contract year, he’s competing head-to-head with Carrington Valentine for a starting job opposite Jaire Alexander. To say the 2024 season is a make-or-break year would be underselling it. So far, Stokes is setting a solid foundation for what could be a resurgent season at a key position for a Super Bowl contender.
LaFleur has been equally impressed with Valentine’s start to camp.
“CV, he continues to make plays. He had another big pick last practice. I just love how he competes,” LaFleur said.
The competition at cornerback will need more than seven practices to sort out. And it likely won’t be limited to this summer — the Packers will let the competition play out all year.
“I think both of those guys have done an outstanding job,” LaFleur said, “and it will be an outstanding competition throughout the course of the preseason and as we get into games.”