The Packers placed starting cornerback Eric Stokes on injured reserve on Saturday due to a hamstring injury, effectively sidelining him for the remainder of the 2023 regular season, according to the team’s official transaction wire for December 30.
Given that Stokes practiced nonstop all week and was not listed as injured on Friday’s official injury report for Week 17, the Packers’ decision to place him on injured reserve seems unexpected. However, the Packers placed him on season-ending injured reserve later in the day after downgrading him to out due to a hamstring problem the morning before the game.
Without either of their best cornerbacks in the starting lineup, the Packers (7-8) will now try to hold onto their hopes of making the playoffs against the Vikings (7-8). In their absence, the team’s starting lineup for Week 17 will probably include rookie Carrington Valentine and veteran Corey Ballentine.
Injury Concerns Eric Stokes’ Future with the Packers
The third season of Eric Stokes’ NFL career has not been kind to him.
Stokes, a first-round selection in 2021, started the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list while he healed from injuries to his knee and ankle that had interrupted his sophomore campaign in Week 9 of the previous year. He was only able to play four special team snaps after the team cleared him to return to action in Week 7, and he ended up on the injured reserve list for the following seven weeks due to a hamstring ailment.
Although Stokes made a comeback in Week 15 and started the last two games for the Packers, he will only have played in three games—and 110 defensive snaps—this season due to his most recent injury. It also implies that, when the 2024 offseason begins in a few months, the Packers may have to make a tough choice about his future.
Prior to suffering injuries that ended his season in 2022, Stokes enjoyed a successful debut campaign. In his brief 2023 action, he again did not do well, giving up eight receptions for 112 yards and three touchdowns on ten targets in just two games. His ability to stay on the field could have an impact on whether the Packers choose to exercise his 2025 fifth-year option on or before May 3, even though they might be willing to attribute part of that to his injuries.
Over the Cap projects Stokes’ fifth-year option to be worth the minimum $11.281 million because he hasn’t reached his Pro Bowl escalators or playtime targets.
Are the Packers considering moving Jaire Alexander?
The Packers’ preparation for Week 17 started and finished with cornerback issues. Alexander, their All-Pro, was also suspended for one game for behavior detrimental to the club prior to Stokes being placed on injured reserve. Head coach Matt LaFleur explained that this decision was made based on more than just Alexander’s pregame theatrics from the previous week.
On December 29, LaFleur remarked, “I’ll just say this: It’s never for one thing.” However, as I previously stated, I believe there are many lessons to be learned for all parties involved, and ideally we do. I believe we will, and going ahead, there will be improved communication. As previously mentioned, I believe Ja will be around for a very long time. He’s a fantastic player who is simply trying to move on, learn from it, and make improvements for all of us.
Up until you consider the most recent story from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, which indicates the Packers are considering Alexander’s long-term future, it appears to be quite simple.
The $8 million roster bonus that the starting cornerback on March 20th is owed is anticipated to be the main factor in the Packers’ long-term decision, according to Schefter’s article from December 30. Alexander has missed a total of 23 games since the beginning of the 2021 season, including nine this season, due to injuries, which he also mentioned. The overall number of games will be 24 after his absence in Week 17.
If the Packers feel a split is best for 2024, they may find it tough to get Alexander, the highest-paid cornerback in the league, off their books. Even so, if the Packers decided to move him this offseason, he would probably have a number of suitors because he is a top talent at the position.
