The Green Bay Packers are 9-4 as they head into the final four games of the 2024 NFL regular season. The team needs to start playing well in order to clinch a playoff berth and prepare for the postseason. Then, they hope to be playing their best football once the playoffs get started. Thus far, the Pack is 0-4 against the Lions, Vikings and Eagles, the three NFC teams ahead of them in the standings. Here are six players who are not seeing the field much for various reasons but who could help the Packers improve down the stretch.

These Six Players Could Help the Packers Down the Stretch, Number Six: LB Ty’Ron Hopper

Unlike the other players on this list, linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper is not injured. The rookie third-round pick out of Missouri is healthy and has played in all 13 games this season. But Hopper has only played seven snaps on defense with the rest of his action coming on special teams.

The Packers have issues with their linebackers. With Edgerrin Cooper unavailable due to injuries, Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson have gotten more reps. But both players, while experienced, lack speed and have been beaten consistently in pass coverage.

If Hopper knows the defense well, his athleticism could help the Packers in this area. The key is whether the coaching staff feels Hopper knows the defense well enough to step in and play well. Hopper will almost certainly make his share of rookie mistakes, but will his speed make up for some of them?

Number Five: OL Jordan Morgan

Jordan Morgan has struggled with injuries during his rookie season. He appeared in only six games and started one, but his progress has been hampered by a series of injuries that started in training camp.

Morgan remains on the IR but is eligible to return whenever he’s healthy enough.

While Morgan is not a starter, he would provide the Pack with some badly needed depth along the interior of the offensive line. Last week in Detroit, the Packers took a hit when Sean Rhyan missed some plays after being shaken up. Backup tackle Kadeem Telfort stepped in at guard and did OK at run blocking but was beaten for one pressure in his four pass protection snaps.

Giving Morgan more valuable experience and adding depth to the interior offensive line would certainly benefit the Packers down the stretch.

These Six Players Could Help the Packers Down the Stretch, Number Four: RB MarShawn Lloyd

Like Morgan, rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd has also missed significant time due to injuries that started in training camp. Lloyd played in just one game, the Week 2 win over the Colts.

He is presently on the non-football injury list with appendicitis. Lloyd will be eligible to return after the Packers game this Sunday night in Seattle if he’s healthy enough to play.

He would add some speed and explosiveness to the Packers backfield if he can play a few snaps per game. The coaching staff and GM Brian Gutekunst were excited about Lloyd’s potential before the season started but so far, his rookie year has been largely washed out by injuries.

Number Three: TE Luke Musgrave

Luke Musgrave managed to play in just four games before he landed on IR with an ankle injury. He has missed the last eight games but is eligible to return this season.

Musgrave would not start ahead of Tucker Kraft at tight end but would give the team a different skill set at the position. While Kraft excels at running after the catch on short passes, Musgrave has more deep speed to stretch the field.

After missing half the season, Musgrave would likely see only a few plays on offense per game, but if those plays can add more options to the offense and give defenses one more thing to think about, it would benefit the Packers.

These Six Players Could Help the Packers Down the Stretch, Number Two: LB Edgerrin Cooper

Not having rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper in the lineup for the last three games has hurt the Packers. Their linebackers have lacked speed and opposing quarterbacks have been able to exploit this weekend with short passes.

Cooper’s return would help give the Pack some speed at linebacker alongside Quay Walker and help the Packers rush the passer and defend against the pass.

The Texas A&M alum had just started to show what he was capable of when he got hurt. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his strong performance in the Packers win over the Jaguars.

Getting him healthy and back in the lineup could really help the defense shore up the middle of the field.

Number One: CB Jaire Alexander

Jaire Alexander suffered a knee injury on the final play of the Packers win over the Jaguars and has only played 10 snaps since then.

Alexander is the team’s best cover corner, and the team has really missed him on the field. When Alexander is healthy, he can take away an opponent’s best receiver or an entire side of the field.

Without him, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley relied more on softer zone coverages more often and had to adjust his coverage schemes in general.

A healthy Alexander could be a game changer for the Green Bay defense down the stretch and in the playoffs. It could allow Hafley to be more aggressive, mix up his coverages and add a variety of blitzes to the defense.

 

 

 

 

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