3 Packers Stars Ruled Out for Thanksgiving Matchup with Dolphins

The Green Bay Packers are 8-3 after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 38-10 on Sunday afternoon. Despite their impressive record, they sit only third in the NFC North as the Detroit Lions (10-1) and Minnesota Vikings (9-2) have better records than them.

Green Bay faces a short week before their next game, a Thanksgiving matchup with the Miami Dolphins at Lambeau Field on Thursday night. As the season winds down, and with the race in the NFC North so close between the three teams, wins are even more important now. The margin for error is, indeed, very small.

Unfortunately, the Packers face the reality of going up against a surging Dolphins team without three of their starters.

The Green Bay Packers Have Ruled Out Romeo Doubs, Jaire Alexander, and Edgerrin Cooper

On Wednesday afternoon, it was reported by multiple outlets that the Packers will be missing three significant players for their Thanksgiving showdown with Miami:

During the game against the 49ers, wide receiver Romeo Doubs suffered a concussion that caused him to be removed from the game early. He still led the Packers with three receptions for 54 yards in the game.

In fact, ever since his one-game suspension earlier this season, no Green Bay pass catcher has more targets, receptions, or receiving yards than Doubs.

As many expected when it was announced that he had suffered a concussion, the Packers have ruled him out for the game against the Dolphins.

Additionally, Green Bay will be without defensive starters Jaire Alexander and Edgerrin Cooper. Alexander, a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback, suffered a torn PCL in the Packers’ win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. While he is expected to make a full recovery without surgery, his knee is not healed enough yet for him to play.

He did try to play in Green Bay’s win against the Chicago Bears a couple of weeks ago, but was pulled after the first half. Alexander did not play against San Francisco.

Rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper had emerged as the Packers’ best linebacker this season and has quickly become a fan-favorite. Unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring injury in practice last week leading up to the game against San Francisco. He did not play in that contest and will not play on Thanksgiving.

Green Bay Packers Players That Will Need to Step Up vs the Miami Dolphins on Thanksgiving

With Doubs out, Green Bay’s other wide receivers will need to fill the void. While Reed leads the team in receptions and receiving yards, Doubs has, as mentioned, been more productive since his suspension.

Malik Heath had a touchdown reception against the 49ers, and he will likely see even more playing time against Miami with Doubs out. Christian Watson, too, may be expecting to have a big game after his dropped pass (his first and only drop of the season) last week.

It is worth noting that, last Thanksgiving, Watson had five receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown.

The absence of Alexander for another week is frustrating, but one wonders just how much he would be able to do against a speedy wide receiver like Tyreek Hill while playing on a bum knee. With him out for at least another game, Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon, along with Eric Stokes, will have to pick up the slack.

Linebacker is one of the Packers’ weakest positions in terms of depth. Isaiah McDuffie is also listed as questionable, which means that Quay Walker and rookie Ty’Ron Hopper may see the majority of snaps. The good news is that Walker played what defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley called his best game of the season on Sunday.

Hopefully he can build off of that.