The Green Bay Packers received the expected news on Monday after tests confirmed that linebacker Edgerrin Cooper suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 4 following a non-contact injury during a blitz. Cooper was in the midst of his Pro Bowl-caliber third season and was on track to be named an All-Pro. Because the Packers have limited cap space, they will likely replace him with an in-house option rather than a trade, a free-agent signing, or poaching a player from another team’s practice squad.

The Green Bay Packers must count on this $4.85 million captainOct 4, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looks on during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Isaiah McDuffie will replace Edgerrin Cooper as the starting linebacker alongside Zaire Franklin. Since the Packers moved to a 3-4 defensive scheme under Jonathan Gannon, McDuffie has been less needed, especially on base defense compared to a 4-3, playing only when injuries occur and averaging 14% of snaps per game, his lowest total since 2021. The Packers value his leadership and contributions, re-signing him to a one-year, $4.85 million contract extension in July, locking him under contract through 2027. The players also voted him a special-teams captain.

Isaiah McDuffie is no stranger to defense, totaling 331 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, five pass deflections, and one forced fumble across 84 regular-season games, 38 starts, and 1,935 snaps since 2021. Although McDuffie can’t match Cooper’s production and skill set, if he can avoid being a liability in the run game or in coverage and becomes a serviceable linebacker, that would still be a plus for the defense.

This former 3rd-round pick will serve as the top backupMinnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) stiff-arms Green Bay Packers linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper (59) after a seven yard run during the first quarter of their game Sunday, January 4, 2026 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Ty’Ron Hopper is now expected to serve as the top backup linebacker. Hopper has seldom played on defense throughout his NFL career, logging two starts and 150 regular-season and seven playoff snaps since 2024. The former third-round pick filled in for McDuffie when an eye injury briefly sidelined him.

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