Packers rookie Edgerrin Cooper delivers star performance after injury

Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper turned in a star-level performance in his return from a three-game absence Sunday night in Seattle.

Cooper, the rookie out of Texas A&M, made his mark on the game as a run defender, blitz player, in coverage and on special teams.

Cooper missed games against the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions after injuring his hamstring in practice on November 20. He returned Sunday night in Seattle and often looked like the best player on the field.

Cooper produced seven tackles. All seven were impressive.

1. Tackle covers the opening kick
2nd sack by Geno Smith on 3rd and 4, forcing punt
3. Tackle Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 1-yard catch
4. Tackle on 3rd-and-29 and force the punt
5. Attack coverage kickoff
6. Tackle against the run for a 3-yard gain
7. Tackling to earn a loss in the last game

On the sack, Cooper won on a play with Kenny Clark and beat Smith in the pocket. He later exploded down the field and dropped Smith-Njigba on a screen pass after a short lead. His elite game speed was on display time and time again.

He also delivered the Dagger interception in the fourth quarter, and he nearly made an interception on an earlier drive in the second half. On the pick, Cooper undercut a throw from Sam Howell intended for tight end Noah Fant, secured the catch and returned the pick inside the Seahawks’ 30-yard line, setting up the final touchdown.

Cooper’s final stats: Seven tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, two quarterback hits, one interception, two passes defended.

Kingley Enagbare said Cooper was “special.” Coach Matt LaFleur said Cooper is a “damn player” who is just “scratching the surface” of his potential as a playmaker.

It’s no coincidence that Cooper’s return to the lineup coincided with the emergence of the Packers defense as an attacking unit. The rookie was at the forefront of a disruptive defense that produced seven sacks, two takeaways and 12 quarterback hits while allowing just 208 total yards and 13 points.

Cooper has already won the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award this season. Could he win it again in Week 15?