Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Michael Barrett (23) tackles Washington Huskies tight end Jack Westover (37) during the second quarter in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers won two games in five days, defeating the San Francisco 49ers by the score of 38-10 on Sunday and then convincingly beating the Miami Dolphins on Thanksgiving 30-17. Now 9-3 on the season, the Packers are in a good position to clinch their second consecutive berth in the NFL Playoffs and have already matched their win total from last year.
As is the case with every team in the NFL, though, late-season injuries are becoming a concern. As the regular season winds down, there is less and less time for the team to get healthy.
This is particularly true at the linebacker position, where the Packers are lacking in quality depth.
Green Bay Packers Rookie Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper Has Missed the Last Two Games
Rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper has emerged as one of the Packers’ best players on defense. In 10 games this season, he has 52 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, two passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Unfortunately, Cooper injured his hamstring in practice leading up to the game against the 49ers. Due to the short turnaround in between games, he was not able to play in either win.
Additionally, linebacker Isaiah McDuffie is banged up. Heading into the Thanksgiving game against Miami, the Packers were not sure he would be able to play due to an ankle injury. It is a good thing he was able to play. McDuffie had 10 tackles and a forced fumble.
The Green Bay Packers Worked Out Former National Champion Michael Barrett
According to Aaron Wilson, who covers the NFL, specifically the Houston Texans, the Packers worked out three linebackers on Friday, including former Michigan Wolverine Michael Barrett:
#Packers worked out:
linebackers Michael Barrett, Sterling Weatherford, Tyler Murray
guards J.D. DiRenzo, Marquis Hayes
wide receiver Rory Starkey@KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 30, 2024
Barrett, who won the National Championship with Michigan last year, was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Panthers traded him in the waning days of training camp to the Seattle Seahawks, who cut him and then re-signed him to their practice squad.
Barrett, however, was not in Seattle long as they released him on September 10. He was picked up by the Cleveland Browns a couple days later and signed with their practice squad, but was released again on October 8.
Sterling Weatherford, another linebacker Green Bay worked out, spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears practice squads, but has not been on an NFL roster of any kind since last year.
Tyler Murray, the third linebacker worked out by the Packers on Friday, was an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers, but never made it above their practice squad. He was released by them earlier this year with an injury settlement.
