Neither Edgerrin Cooper nor Isaiah McDuffie have practiced this week, which is an ominous sign for their chances of playing. Cooper is sidelined with a hamstring injury he picked up during practice last week, while McDuffie is dealing with an ankle issue.
Problem number one? The Packers are down to three linebackers on the 53-man roster. When they’re in base defense, that gives them enough linebackers to fill the starting positions, but that’s it.
The second problem? One of those linebackers is rookie Ty’Ron Hopper, who has only played seven defensive snaps this season. The Dolphins’ offense features similarities to the Packers’, using pre-snap motion to confuse defenses. It puts stress on linebackers, as Green Bay’s offense achieved against the San Francisco 49ers’ defense last week.
What happens if the Packers suffer another linebacker injury or need to make a personnel change? That brings us to problem number three.
The Packers could’ve elevated former first-round pick Jamin Davis to the gameday roster. They signed Davis to the practice squad last month, and while he may not have been a key part of this week’s game plan, he could’ve provided cover. Davis has plenty of experience, having started 36 games in the NFL.
The key here is the Packers could’ve elevated him. They no longer can.
After placing Ivan Pace Jr. on injured reserve, the Minnesota Vikings signed Davis to their 53-man roster from the Packers’ practice squad. Talk about bad timing.
It leaves Green Bay with zero linebackers on the practice squad. Depth at the position is so important in Jeff Hafley’s system, and the Packers now risk entering Thursday’s game with only three linebackers, barring a last-minute move.
It’s unclear whether the Packers offered Davis a spot on their 53-man roster, but in any case, he ends up in Minnesota. Green Bay had no option to block the move.
Perhaps the Packers’ best option is to bring back Chris Russell, who took part in their rookie minicamp and then signed with the team midway through training camp. He could prove cover on gameday.
Barring either Cooper or McDuffie playing, which feels like a long shot at this point, the Packers’ linebacker depth will be tested against the Dolphins.
