GREEN BAY – Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper has been named the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month for December/January.

Cooper actually missed the Packers’ first game in December due to a hamstring injury, but in the four games since his return, he’s racked up 35 tackles (26 solo), including eight for loss, plus an interception, two passes defensed, a sack, three QB hits, and a fumble recovery.

The sack and interception both came at Seattle in Week 15, his first game back from the injury, earning him NFC Defensive Rookie of the Week for the second time this season.

The other time was at Jacksonville in late October, when he had a crucial strip-sack that generated a turnover and set up the Packers’ offense for a fourth-quarter touchdown.

A second-round draft pick from Texas A&M, Cooper was the first linebacker drafted last spring with the No. 45 overall pick. He finished his rookie regular season with 87 tackles (57 solo), including 13 for loss, with 3½ sacks, seven QB hits, four passes defensed and two fumble recoveries.