Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (hamstring) played just 12 games the last two seasons due to injuries, making it easy to write off the 2021 first-round pick as an injury bust who will never work his way back into the starting lineup. However, after battling knee, foot and hamstring injuries, he made it through the offseason program and is poised to win a starting job back in 2024. "I just say this is my story and I'm embracing it," Stokes said. "I'm embracing the full story. I ain't going to feel sorry for myself. At the end of the day, I'm blessed. I'm one of the people in this locker room. I'm definitely blessed just to have a story." It's no surprise that Green Bay declined the 25-year-old defensive back's fifth-year option, but Stokes could re-emerge as a valuable contributor in the secondary this year if he can stay on the field.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur thinks cornerback Eric Stokes (hamstring) is in a great place physically and mentally this offseason after he missed most of the last two years with injuries. LaFleur also said he thinks Stokes is "in the best shape" he's ever seen him in. "When you look at him physically, his body looks different. He's hitting some fast speeds out there at practice. I can tell mentally he feels like he's in a great place," LaFleur said. The former first-round pick in 2021 was great as a rookie but suffered foot and knee injuries in Week 9 in 2022 and missed the final eight games. The 25-year-old played in just three games in 2023 due to hamstring issues. It's no surprise the Packers declined their fifth-year option on Stokes, so he's now in a contract year in 2024 as he looks to stay healthy. If healthy, the speedster could start opposite Jaire Alexander.
The Green Bay Packers declined the fifth-year option for cornerback Eric Stokes on Thursday, according to a source. The 29th overall pick in 2021 out of Georgia, Stokes played well in his rookie season but has battled injuries the last two years. He will now be slated for free agency next spring and can make a case for a big payday if he can stay healthy in 2024. The 25-year-old played in 16 games (14 starts) as a rookie in 2021 and had a career-high 55 tackles (43 solo), an interception and 14 passes defended. However, he's played in just 12 games (11 starts) since then and has 26 solo tackles in that time. Stokes played in just three games last season. Despite his injuries the last two years, he's expected to be a starting cornerback for Green Bay in 2024 if he's healthy.
The Green Bay Packers defense will now be without cornerback Eric Stokes (hamstring) for their Week 17 contest on Sunday night against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. Stokes was added to the injury report with a hamstring injury and was immediately ruled out, so he could also be looking at another absence in the regular season finale in Week 18 versus the Chicago Bears on Jan. 7. The Packers defense isn't a recommended streaming option this weekend during championship week in fantasy, especially since they'll be without Stokes and cornerback Jaire Alexander. In addition to Stokes and Alexander, linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (neck) is doubtful, while cornerback Robert Rochell (neck), safety Darnell Savage (shoulder) and defensive tackle Tedarrell Slaton (foot, knee) are questionable for Sunday's game.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (hamstring) won't return to Sunday's meeting with the Denver Broncos. Stokes, who was just activated off the Physically Unable to Perform list due to multiple issues and making his 2023-24 debut, played sparingly before exiting with a hamstring injury. The 24-year-old has appeared in 25 games for the Packers since entering the league in 2021, totaling 81 tackles and one interception. But now it seems Stokes may miss more time, including the Week 8 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
Eric Stokes Activated From PUP List, Will Make Season Debut On Sunday
Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (foot) has been activated off the Physically Unable to Perform list and is set to make his season debut on Sunday against the Denver Broncos. Stokes has not played since last November after he injured his foot. Cornerback Jaire Alexander (back) is questionable with a back issue and is trending towards not playing, so Stokes' activation is coming at a good time.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said the hope is to get cornerback Eric Stokes (ankle) back "as soon as possible," which means he may not be ready for the start of the 2023 season after suffering a significant ankle injury last year. Stokes injured his ankle in Week 9 of 2022 and is still recovering, so the Packers may not have the 24-year-old defensive back to begin this season. In nine games last year, he had 26 tackles (21 solo) after posting 55 tackles (43 solo), an interception and 14 passes defensed in his rookie year in 2021. The Packers may need to rely more on Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas at the cornerback position early in 2023.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters on Friday that cornerback Eric Stokes (ankle, knee) is likely done for the rest of the year after getting injured in the Week 9 loss to the Detroit Lions. It's probably a formality that the Packers will eventually place the 23-year-old on Injured Reserve, which is a considerable blow to their secondary moving forward. If Stokes is indeed done for the rest of the season, he'll finish 2022 with 26 tackles (21 solo) in nine games played in his second NFL campaign. He was a first-round selection in 2021. The Packers defense also lost starting outside linebacker Rashan Gary to a season-ending knee injury in the same contest last week. Stokes has started a total of 23 games since entering the league last year.
The Green Bay Packers selected Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes with the No. 29 overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft on Thursday night. Stokes was seen as more of a track star than a football player at one point. He has extraordinary speed in the secondary and tested off the charts with his speed and size, so he should be able to hang with more physical receivers in the NFL. Stokes may not always play up to his numbers, and he has a deeper understanding of the game as well. He brings both man-coverage ability and can also play in zone coverage, so he's versatile. The bottom line is that he has the speed, strength and flexibility to match up with NFL receivers. The Packers are slowing building an excellent secondary.
Eric Stokes
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Packers
