Tag: Edgerrin Cooper

Edgerrin Cooper has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week

For the second time this season, former Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

If you asked a Texas A&M football fan if Edgerrin Cooper would be a productive linebacker in the NFL, the resounding response would be yes. The rookie Green Bay Packer is projected to be a starter for a very long time in the league and is on the road to being a pro bowler in the future.

Early in his career, he is already collecting accolades and was just named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season. He is the first Packer to win this twice in the same season since Clay Matthews and the first Packers rookie. This comes after his big game against the Seattle Seahawks where he made plays all over the field, recording 7 tackles, a sack and an interception.

Cooper is emerging as one of the better defensive rookies this season and is looking every bit as a steal as a second-round pick.

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Packers LB Edgerrin Cooper named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 15

For the second time this season, Packers rookie LB Edgerrin Cooper is the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week. He was dominant in Seattle.

Green Bay Packers rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was named the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week for Week 15 of the 2024 season after producing a sack and an interception during Green Bay’s win over the Seattle Seahawks on “Sunday Night Football.”

Cooper, who previously won the award in Week 8, is the first Packers rookie win NFC Defensive Player of the Week — a weekly award started in 1984 — twice in a season, per the Packers. He’s also the first Packers player to win the award twice in a season since Clay Matthews in 2010.

Only five rookies have ever won the award multiple times in a season: Nick Bosa (2019), Brian Cushing (2009), Kamren Kitchens (2024), Shaquille Leonard (2018) and now Cooper. He’s also the first rookie since Nick Kwiatkoski in 2016 to produce multiple tackles for loss and passes defensed in a single game.

Cooper was dominant over 34 snaps in Seattle, delivering seven tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack on third down, a near interception and a game-clinching interception. He ended up being the NFL’s highest-graded player in Week 15, per Pro Football Focus.

The Packers have won an NFC Defensive Player of the Week award three times this season — Cooper in Week 15, Cooper in Week 8 and Xavier McKinney in Week 5. McKinney was also named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for October. Karl Brooks was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a field goal in Chicago in Week 11.

Packers LB Edgerrin Cooper was PFF’s highest-graded NFL player in Week 15

Green Bay Packers rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper produced the premier individual performance in the NFL during Week 15.

Green Bay Packers rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper produced the premier individual performance in the NFL during Week 15. According to Pro Football Focus, Cooper was the site’s highest-graded player at 93.8 after producing a sack and an interception during the Packers’ 30-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

Cooper, who played 34 snaps in his return from a hamstring injury, finished the contest with three total pressures, including a third-down sack, plus three run “stops,” or a tackle constituting a failure for the offense. While he dropped a potential interception, Cooper all but ended the game with a pick of Sam Howell in the fourth quarter and finished with two passes defensed. Targeted six times in coverage, Cooper allowed only two catches for 13 yards and a passer rating against of 2.8.

Cooper’s overall grade of 93.8 set a new career high. The second-round pick out of Texas A&M now has four games this season with a grade of at least 80.0.

PFF named Cooper the site’s “Rookie of the Week” for Week 15. He currently ranks as the fifth highest graded rookie among defensive players in 2024.

Other players who had a grade of at least 90.0 in Week 15 include Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Bills running back James Cook, New York Jets receiver Davante Adams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, Denver Broncos edge rusher Nik Bonitto and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner.

Former Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper helped lead Green Bay to victory on Sunday

Rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper has a big night against the Seahawks in Week 15

Former All-American Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper has been making a name for himself in Green Bay. On Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, he had one of his best games of his rookie season.

After missing three games with an injury, Cooper came back like he had never missed a step; he was a one-man wrecking crew member in a backup role. The rookie was all over the field and made plays in every way possible for a defensive player. Cooper had seven tackles, one sack, and two passes defended on the night.

However, his most impressive play of the night was when he dropped back into coverage and picked off Seahawks QB Geno Smith at mid-field late in the fourth quarter. Up ten helped seal the game and ruin the Seahawks’ chance at a comeback.

Aggie fans are well aware of the type of player Cooper is, and the Packers get a glimpse of him every time he steps on the field.

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Packers rookie Edgerrin Cooper delivers star performance in return from injury

Packers rookie LB Edgerrin Cooper returned from a hamstring injury and looked like a star in Seattle on Sunday night.

Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper produced a star-level performance in his return from a three-game absence on Sunday night in Seattle.

Cooper, the rookie from Texas A&M, impacted the game as a run defender, blitzer, in coverage and on special teams.

Cooper missed games against the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions after injuring his hamstring in practice on Nov. 20. He returned Sunday night in Seattle and often looked like the best player on the field.

Cooper produced seven tackles. All seven were impactful.

1. Tackle covering opening kickoff
2. Sack of Geno Smith on 3rd-and-4, forcing punt
3. Tackle on Jaxon Smith-Njigba after 1-yard catch
4. Tackle on 3rd-and-29, forcing punt
5. Tackle covering kickoff
6. Tackle against run after 3-yard gain
7. Tackle for loss on final play

On the sack, Cooper won inside on a game with Kenny Clark and took down Smith in the pocket. Later, he exploded across the field and dumped Smith-Njigba on a screen pass after a short gain. His elite play speed showed up time and time again.

He also delivered the dagger interception in the fourth quarter, and he nearly had an interception on an earlier drive in the second half. On the pick, Cooper undercut a throw from Sam Howell intended for tight end Noah Fant, secured the catch and returned the pick inside the Seahawks’ 30-yard line, setting up the final touchdown.

Cooper’s final stat line: Seven tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, two quarterback hits, one interception, two passes defended.

Kingley Enagbare said Cooper was “special.” Coach Matt LaFleur said Cooper is a “hell of a player” who is just “scratching the surface” of his potential as a playmaker.

It’s no coincidence that Cooper’s return to the lineup coincided with the Packers defense coming alive as an attacking unit. The rookie led the way for a disruptive defense that created seven sacks, two takeaways and 12 quarterback hits and allowed only 208 total yards and 13 points.

Cooper has already won an NFC Defensive Player of the Week award this season. Could he win it again in Week 15?

Packers will return rookie LB Edgerrin Cooper from 3-game absence

The Green Bay Packers will return rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper from a hamstring injury that cost him the last three games.

The Green Bay Packers will return rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper from a hamstring injury that cost him the last three games.

Coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Cooper will play Sunday night against the Seattle Seahawks after missing almost a month with a hamstring injury.

“He was doing a really good job (before the injury). It’s going to be great to get him back out there,” LaFleur said Friday. “He obviously brings an element, in terms of his speed and athleticism, adds another dimension to our defense.”

Cooper suffered the hamstring injury during practice on the Wednesday before playing the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12. He missed games against the 49ers, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions.

Cooper, a second-round pick, has 52 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He was the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 8 after producing a sack, forced fumble and pass breakup during the Packers’ win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Before the injury, Cooper was on the field for at least 60 percent of defense’s snaps in five straight games, including a season-high 51 snaps during the Packers’ win over the Chicago Bears.

It’s unclear if the Packers will ease Cooper back into the mix at linebacker. Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson have handled the majority of reps at the position with Cooper out.

In related injury news, the Packers won’t have rookie defensive back Javon Bullard, who is out with an ankle injury, or cornerback Jaire Alexander, who is still attempting to recover from a knee ligament injury. Receiver Romeo Doubs and safety Evan Williams are both out of concussion protocol and will be available to play against the Seahawks.

Packers rule out LB Edgerrin Cooper for Week 12 vs. 49ers

The Packers won’t have rookie LB Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring) against the 49ers on Sunday.

Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper will not play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers because of a hamstring injury suffered during Wednesday’s practice.

Cooper, who appeared in all 10 games to start his rookie season, didn’t practice Thursday or Friday.

While LaFleur does not think the soft-tissue injury will be a long-term issue, it’s possible Cooper will be hard-pressed to play on a short turnaround next Thursday against the Miami Dolphins.

Cornerback Jaire Alexander didn’t practice at all this week and isn’t expected to play Sunday, leaving the Packers defense without two preferred starters.

A second-round pick out of Texas A&M, Cooper has played at least 60 percent of the defense’s snaps in each of the last five games. His speed and playmaking ability have helped make the Packers more disruptive against the run and blitzing the quarterback over the last two months. Cooper has a tackle for loss or a quarterback hit in five of the last eight games.

Without Cooper on Sunday, the Packers will rely on starter Quay Walker and veterans Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson at linebacker. McDuffie has started all 10 games this season, while Wilson — who leads the team with seven tackles for loss — has made game-changing plays in wins over the Colts and Texans earlier this season.

Packers concerned rookie LB will miss Sunday vs. 49ers

A hamstring injury has the Packers concerned that rookie LB Edgerin Cooper will miss Sunday’s game against the 49ers.

Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper injured his hamstring during Wednesday’s practice, which led to Thursday’s absence, and there is now legitimate concern that Cooper won’t be available for Sunday’s showdown with the San Francisco 49ers.

LaFleur wasn’t ready to rule out Cooper for Sunday and wants to first see how he feels Friday. The Packers will release a final injury report with playing status designations on Friday afternoon.

“We’ll see, we’ll see how he’s feeling tomorrow,” LaFleur said.

Cooper, a second-round pick of Texas A&M, has played at least 30 snaps on defense in six straight games. His speed and blitzing ability have provided playmaking production from the second level for the Packers defense.

Among rookies, Cooper ranks sixth in “stops,” a tackle that creates a failure for the offense based on down and distance. He also has 2.5 sacks, including a strip-sack, plus a fumble recovery.

The Packers have veteran options available at linebacker if Cooper can’t go. Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson would be the primary linebackers if Cooper isn’t available.

Pair of Aggies in the NFL record respective firsts during Week 4 amid losing efforts

Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk put on strong performances this weekend.

Three former members of the Texas A&M football team put on strong performances this past weekend in the NFL.

Tampa Bay superstar wide receiver Mike Evans put on a show in front of former teammate Tom Brady to become the all-time leading scorer in Buccaneers franchise history. Evans accomplished the feat during a 33-16 victory versus Philadelphia.

Meanwhile across the league, a pair of Aggies alumni recorded respective firsts on Sunday afternoon. Rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper tallied his first fumble recovery for Green Bay. Seventh-year wideout Christian Kirk hauled in his first touchdown catch of the season for Jacksonville.

Kirk racked up 7 receptions on 12 targets for 61 yards and a score during a 24-20 loss at Houston. He has totaled 17 catches for 169 yards and 1 TD through four games. The Jaguars (0-4) host the Colts for an AFC South matchup on Sunday at noon.

Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Cooper has 13 tackles (8 solo), 0.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery and 1 pass defense thus far. The Packers (2-2) lost to the Vikings 31-29 at home in Week 4. Green Bay plays in Los Angeles against the Rams on Sunday at 3:25 p.m.

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Packers expecting more snaps for rookie LB Edgerrin Cooper after impressive Week 1

Expect more snaps for Packers rookie LB Edgerrin Cooper after an impressive season opener.

An impressive season opener for Green Bay Packers rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper is likely to lead to more snaps on defense moving forward.

Cooper flashed playmaking ability over 11 snaps against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil. The second-round pick produced three solo tackles, including a run stop on Saquon Barkley, and a batted pass.

Expect more snaps for Cooper, starting Sunday against Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts.

“He certainly flashed and made some plays. I would anticipate him getting more time moving forward,” LaFleur said Monday, per Ryan Wood of PackersNews.com.

Cooper might already be a full-time player had he not suffered a hip injury during training camp and missed all three preseason games.

Per grades at Pro Football Focus, Cooper was the Packers’ highest rated defensive player vs. the Eagles. He helped make a stop on Jalen Hurts, created an impressive solo takedown of Barkley and prevented a potential big play when he batted down a pass on a blitz. Cooper also had a solo tackle when he sped down the field, beat a block and made the stop covering a kickoff in the first half. On one coverage snap, Cooper recovered a misstep and covered the tight end, helping force a throwaway. Later, he covered up Barkley out of the backfield and stuck with him in the scramble drill.

The Packers relied on Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie as the every-down linebackers in Week 1. Walker was on the field for every snap, while McDuffie played 97 percent of the defense’s snaps. Cooper split time with veteran Eric Wilson, who played 15 snaps. It’s possible Cooper could eat up even more of Wilson’s playing time moving forward, and McDuffie’s role as an every down player could be in jeopardy if Cooper continues to flash.

The Packers made Cooper the 45th overall pick in the 2024 draft. He was the highest-graded off-ball linebacker in college football at PFF last season.