Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper will miss the rest of the season after an MRI confirmed an Achilles tear suffered in Sunday’s 17-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cooper was injured without contact in the third quarter and was unable to put weight on his left leg before being taken off the field on a cart. Green Bay improved to 2-2 with the victory, but the loss of one of its most productive defenders will be a major blow.
Quick facts
- Cooper sustained a season-ending Achilles injury in the Packers’ 17-14 victory over Tampa Bay.
- The linebacker recorded nine tackles and a sack before leaving in the third quarter.
- He also intercepted Jalon Daniels late in the first half, setting up a 58-yard Trey Smack field goal.
- Green Bay’s defense closed out the game after Cooper’s exit despite two fourth-quarter turnovers by the offense.
The injury occurred with 8:31 remaining in the third quarter, shortly after safety Xavier McKinney sacked Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels. Cooper appeared ready to blitz on a third-and-8 snap from Tampa Bay’s 37-yard line while the Packers held a 17-7 advantage.
He looked back toward his lower left leg as if he had been struck, although no player was near him. Cooper then hit the turf in pain as trainers came onto the field. He was declared out soon after being carted away.
A second-round selection in 2024 and now in his third NFL season, Cooper had entered the day with 21 tackles, a team-leading six tackles for loss and two sacks, ranking second on the roster in that category. His Sunday output included nine stops and a sack in roughly two and a half quarters.
Cooper also delivered a key first-half turnover. With 36 seconds left before halftime, he intercepted Daniels for his first pick of the season and the second of his career. The takeaway led to Smack’s 58-yard field goal, sending Green Bay into halftime ahead 10-7.
The Packers survived a pair of late turnovers and leaned on their defense after Cooper’s departure. Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon brought pressure on Tampa Bay’s final three snaps, producing a sack by safety Evan Williams, a short completion and a near interception from cornerback Keisean Nixon.
