16 Days Until Brazil: Packers Get a Boost From Their Rookies

Edgerrin Cooper is back.

Cooper's return is a sight for sore eyes as the Green Bay Packers linebacker corps was getting perilously thin due to injuries.

Ralen Goforth was the most recent Packer to exit with a concussion. His return to the field is uncertain at this time.

When the Packers drafted Cooper 45th overall, they likely saw a player they thought could contribute as a rookie.

Cooper flashed in the spring, but had been unable to crack the starting lineup consistently when he was healthy during camp.

Cooper ran behind Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson in the team's base defense.

He'd occasionally spell Wilson, a career special teamer who has refused to let go of his starting spot without a fight.

The Packers still need help at linebacker.

Ty'Ron Hopper had some nice moments but struggled in his first preseason action on Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

Hopper's struggles are to be expected. He's a young player getting his first bit of NFL action.

Cooper is the more talented of the two rookies, and his athleticism is something that could help the Packers early in the year against Jalen Hurts and Anthony Richardson.

The dynamic running ability of each of those quarterbacks presents a challenge to opposing defenses.

As presently constructed, the Packers simply don't have the speed to keep up with either of those guys.

Cooper?

He's just happy to be back on the field with his teammates.

“Best feeling ever,” Cooper said to si.com's Bill Huber.

“I think that was the longest I’ve been without playing football and just missing out and stuff like that. It was mentally tough, but that’s the thing about being a pro and just do what you have to do.”

Cooper wasn't alone in his return to the practice field.

Jordan Morgan took another step toward finding his way back onto the field.

He did some individual work last week, but that could progress to team drills this week.

Morgan was the team's primary starter at right guard before he exited with a shoulder injury.

With the issues the Packers are facing at tackle, Morgan could kick outside and get some reps as a tackle as well.

Either way, his return is a sight for sore eyes along the offensive line.

Offensive line depth is not where it had been the last couple of years in Green Bay.

David Bakhtiari is not on the shelf with an injury. Yosh Njiman is not the backup, and he was a starting caliber player in Green Bay.

Andre Dillard would likely be the swing tackle if the season started today, but he missed practice yesterday with a shoulder injury.

The Packers need some help on the offensive line, and while they are typically reluctant to rely on rookies, Morgan looks like someone the Packers are going to be counting on to play as a rookie.

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