The Green Bay Packers ruled out cornerback Eric Stokes for Sunday night’s showdown with the Minnesota Vikings due to a new hamstring injury reported on Saturday.
Stokes has played in only three games this season. He suffered multiple hamstring injuries during training camp, began the season on the PUP list, returned in October and then suffered another hamstring injury while covering a punt against the Denver Broncos. Stokes spent seven games on injured reserve before returning and playing the last two games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers.
This marks at least the third time Stokes has suffered a hamstring injury this season. He missed the final nine games of last season after suffering season-ending knee and foot injuries.
A hamstring injury almost certainly means Stokes will be out the rest of the season. The Packers must make a decision on his fifth-year option this offseason, making it likely Stokes will go into 2024 on the final year of his rookie deal.
The Packers will now be without Stokes and Jaire Alexander, who is suspended one game, for Sunday night against Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and the Vikings offense. Rookie Carrington Valentine and Corey Ballentine will be the likely starters at cornerback with Keisean Nixon in the slot.