The highly anticipated match between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings is set to take place on Sunday. This game holds immense significance for both teams as the outcome will determine their future in the playoffs. The victor will keep their hopes alive for a postseason berth, while the defeated team will have to start strategizing for next year’s draft.
The Packers and the opposing team have both faced numerous injuries throughout the season, and this week was no exception for Green Bay. In fact, one of their 24-year-old star players has had his future career prospects cast into doubt due to his recent injury.
Green Bay Packers Starting Cornerback Eric Stokes Has His Career Come Into Question After Latest Injury Prior To Matchup Vs. The Minnesota Vikings
Zachary Jacobson, a writer for Packers Report, recently brought attention to the most recent updates on Stokes.
After just two games in which he played 110 defensive snaps, Eric Stokes is right back to square one.The Green Bay Packers added the third-year cornerback to their injury report on Saturday with another hamstring issue, declaring him out for Sunday night’s pivotal clash with the Minnesota Vikings. He wasn’t listed on their final injury report on Friday, so it’s likely that Stokes sustained the injury during Saturday’s walkthrough.It’s the latest obstruction in what has been a tumultuous and trying season for Stokes, whose rookie campaign in 2021 marked the last time he had performed at a starting-caliber level.Not only is this the third time he’s wounded his hamstring since training camp, but the devastating pair of injuries he endured last season in a Nov. 6 game against the Detroit Lions — Stokes missed the remainder of the regular season with a torn meniscus and Lisfranc injury — have prevented him from truly getting back to form.The first hamstring issue occurred during his ramp-up period in training camp, prompting the Packers to place him on the physically unable-to-perform list to begin the season. He returned for the Oct. 22 meeting with the Denver Broncos, but after just four snaps on special teams, he aggravated the injury and was sent to injured reserve.Stokes was activated on Dec. 16 — one day before he would play 76 percent of the defensive snaps against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
What Is The Future Of Stokes?
Stokes, although selected in the first round, has only seen action in 28 games throughout his three-year tenure with the team. The Packers face a crucial decision in the coming weeks as they must determine whether to exercise his fifth-year option, a move that would solidify his place in the team’s secondary for the foreseeable future.
Analysts are not only questioning if he will ever play for the Packers again, but also if he will have a future in the league. Stokes has been plagued by recurring hamstring injuries and other significant health issues.
In 2021, Stokes had an impressive rookie season, stepping up to the challenge when both Kevin King and Jaire Alexander got injured. Despite the unexpected starting role, he showcased strong coverage skills and managed to break up an impressive 14 passes as a rookie.
According to data from pro-football-reference.com, Stokes has been highly effective in limiting opposing quarterbacks’ completion rate to just 49.5 percent when covering receivers. Additionally, his presence has resulted in a low quarterback rating of 71.3. However, Stokes has faced challenges in maintaining a consistent on-field presence since his rookie season. As the off-season approaches, it will be interesting to see how the team evaluates his future and the impact he may have.
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