Eric

Stokes

Stokes was injured in the third quarter and was quickly taken to the locker room for examination. The veteran cornerback logged one tackle and one pass defended before exiting. Although he is questionable to return, he can be seen without his helmet, standing on the sideline.

Stokes is a former first-round selection by the Packers who had mixed success in Green Bay before having his fifth-year player option declined. The 26-year-old should compete for a spot in Pete Carroll’s lineup, but at that low of a price he’s just as likely to be a depth piece for Las Vegas.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo was the first to report the decision, noting that despite a solid rookie year, a recent string of injuries to Stokes likely factored into the decision to decline the option. Stokes played in only two games for the Packers last season, opening the year on the PUP list before finally being activated in late October. A hamstring injury would land him on IR four days later, but he would return to play in Weeks 15 and 16 before the same injury sidelined him for the regular season. A clean bill of health and solid play in 2024 could lead to a big payday for Stokes, who will turn 26 just ahead of free agency next offseason.

Stokes sustained a hamstring injury late in the week and has since been ruled out ahead of Green Bay’s clash with the Vikings. The Packers secondary will now be without Stoke and Jair Alexander, who was suspended for calling the coin flip without the team’s permission in Week 16.

Stokes had just made his season debut in Week 7 after working his way back from surgery on his foot for a Lisfranc injury, but he suffered a hamstring injury early in the game and will now miss at least four games. “I know he’s extremely disappointed, and we’re disappointed for him. That’s a long road to recovery, and to get out there and play four snaps.” The Packers signed cornerback Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochell to the active roster to help reinforce a secondary that is being ravaged by injuries.

Stokes is expected to make his season debut in Week 7 against the Broncos. The timing could not be better after standout cornerback Jaire Alexander was ruled out earlier in the week, giving the defense an athletic veteran as one was lost. Either way, a matchup with the reeling Broncos could be just what the doctor ordered as the Packers fight to turn their season around.

Stokes is attempting to make a return from the physically unable to perform list while Walker was injured in Week 5 and is hopeful the bye week afforded him enough time to return to action. The Packers defense has struggled through injury through the first third of the season as they fight to stay afloat in the NFC North.

Green Bay also placed Jeff Cotton, Jake Hanson, and Eric Stokes on the PUP list. Grant DuBose and Camren McDonald were placed on the non-football injury list. Gary suffered a torn ACL in Week 9 last year and has been working off to the side during practices so far. It’s possible he’s ready for Week 1, though that remains up in the air. If the Packers don’t remove him from the PUP list before roster cutdowns, they will have to place him on the reserve/PUP list, sidelining him for at least the first four weeks of the season.

Stokes also tore his meniscus last season. He just started running a few weeks ago. This will probably leave him questionable to start training camp, Stokes, Green Bay’s 2021 first-round pick, has been a near every-down starter when healthy. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky wrote earlier in March that Stokes may not be ready for the start of the 2023 season. This will be an injury to watch as camp opens, and a PUP listing is not out of the realm of possibility.

Stokes, who suffered a “significant ankle injury” per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, may not be ready for the start of the 2023 season. Green Bay would probably use Keisean Nixon as their nickel cornerback with Rasul Douglas and Jaire Alexander outside if Stokes isn’t ready for Week 1. At this point Stokes should be considered questionable for training camp.