Paul Bretl | 9/4/2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. — In the Packers’ Week 1 regular season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, cornerback Eric Stokes is preparing to be tested early and often in the passing game.
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” said Stokes when asked if he will be targeted early. “I mean, you’ve got Jaire on the other side, of course you’re expecting the ball to come your way.”
Over the previous two seasons, Stokes has appeared in just 12 total games. His 2022 season was cut short due to a Lisfranc injury in Week 9. Then last season, early on he was still recovering from that injury and also dealt with hamstring injuries as well, appearing in only three games.
The 110 defensive snaps that Stokes played in 2023 is far too small of a sample size to glean anything from. In 2022, prior to the injury, Stokes was struggling, having allowed 21 completions on 25 targets at 13.1 yards per catch with no pass breakups or interceptions.
However, following a full healthy offseason where Stokes did not miss any practice time, the goal is to regain the form that he displayed during his rookie season. That year, Stokes gave up just 49 completions on 96 targets (51%) with nine pass breakups and an interception.
“Man, I feel great,” said Stokes. “You know when you’re dealing with Jaire on one side, you already know the other side is going to come with a lot of fire, so it just gives me more opportunity to show what I got, show what I can showcase and all that stuff. And then hey, everything else is going to happen for itself.”
Along with wide receiver Christian Watson, the Packers sent Stokes to UW-Madison as well at the start of the offseason, to get to the root of his soft tissue issues. To summarize, a conversation with Stokes’ from earlier in the offseason, with his foot not at full strength, that put a heavier workload on his calf and hamstring, which contributed to the soft tissue injuries. So this offseason, the focus for Stokes has been on strengthening his foot and the areas around it.
“Went through so much stuff this offseason,” Stokes said, “pretty much changed a lot of things, a lot of things different that me and my trainer did back home and give him so much kudos because of the things I still do today, I still a lot of stuff before practice. In the morning when I get here, there’s a lot of small stuff that I do just to make sure my body feels good.”
The Eagles’ offense has the ability to hurt opposing defenses both on the ground and through the air. At wide receiver is the dynamic duo of AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, who combined for 187 receptions and over 2,500 receiving yards in 2023. There is also the added wrinkle of Philadelphia having a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore, which means the potential for even more unscouted looks than what might be the typical norm that comes during Week 1.
With a revamped safety position led by Xavier McKinney, the Packers cornerbacks will have some additional help over the top. But with the challenge that the Eagles’ offense poses on the ground, there are going to be times when Stokes is one his own against either Brown or Smith.
It’s a challenge, however, that Stokes is excited to undertake. For one, after dealing with injuries for two seasons, he’s thrilled to be healthy and able to play Week 1. But in addition to that, Stokes put together a strong training camp performance. We know the speed he brings to the cornerback position, but defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has also praised Stokes for the physicality he’s played with as well.
“Man, it’s going to be so good,” said Stokes. “Just don’t understand how happy just to be back out there, knowing everything I’ve been through, knowing there’s so much stuff that I’ve went through these past, pretty much, two years, it’s going to be unbelievable.”
Truly containing the Philadelphia offense will be a very tall task and perhaps one that cannot be accomplished, given that they have a variety of ways to hurt opposing defenses. But whether it be on the ground or through the air, the Packers have to find a way to limit one of those elements because if the Eagles are able to marry the two together and find success in both, that is when the challenge moves from difficult to nearly impossible.
“You always gotta have that confidence, but you already know the type of test they have over there,” added Stokes. “They got some firepower and all that stuff. Again, we’re trying set a championship defense around here. We’re trying to be known as a defensive team. Whenever they think about the Packers, they think about the defense. It’s gonna start Friday night. Friday night is another test to show everybody.”