Packers face concerning injury development at key position ahead of Week 6 showdown with Cowboys’ elite receiver duo
Green Bay returned to practice Wednesday with one defensive starter working in the rehab group and another still sidelined, leaving a thin group exposed.
The Green Bay Packers are dealing with a new injury issue, and the timing couldn’t be worse for the defense. Green Bay returned to practice Wednesday ahead of its “Sunday Night Football” matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6. Cornerback Keisean Nixon was working with the rehab group instead of practicing with the team.
Keisean Nixon was listed on the injury report with a groin issue, and therefore listed as a DNP. That means he wasn’t on the field with his teammates as they began preparing for Dallas.
Cornerback depth gets thin
Nixon’s absence isn’t the only concern. Top backup Benjamin St-Juste is still not practicing because of a hamstring injury. That puts the Packers in a difficult spot, with a cornerback group that suddenly has very little depth.
None of this means Nixon and St-Juste won’t play against the Cowboys. But if neither can go, Green Bay would have a massive complication on its hands. Outside of those two, the only cornerbacks on the 53-man roster are rookie second-round pick Brandon Cisse, Carrington Valentine, and Kamal Hadden. The Packers also recently signed Elijah Culp and have sixth-round pick Domani Jackson on the practice squad.
Nixon has been the CB1 for the Packers this season. St-Juste is the CB3, serving as the first backup on the boundary behind Nixon and Cisse. Losing both the top cornerback and the primary backup option would hurt Green Bay a lot.
Worst possible opponent
The timing is particularly troubling because of who is on the other side. The Cowboys have one of the premier wide receiver duos in the NFL, with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens as their primary pass-catching weapons.
That’s the type of matchup in which the Packers badly need strong cornerback play. Facing Lamb and Pickens with a rookie and depth pieces carrying the load on the outside is far from ideal.
It’s still early in the week. Green Bay would welcome back at least one of the two, especially Nixon, before Sunday. Still, it’s not the way the Packers wanted to start the week of preparation against Dallas.
Nixon was heavily criticized for his performance in 2025. This season has been a different story. Through 332 defensive snaps, Nixon has allowed a 76.4 passer rating when targeted. He has one interception and two pass breakups, and has also contributed as a blitzer with two pressures and one sack. He’s playing at a high level, and that’s why the injury comes at a time when the Packers can’t afford it.
Good news on the defensive front
There was a positive update Wednesday, too. Defensive tackle Jordon Riley was designated for return from the physically unable to perform list. Riley tore his Achilles in Week 17 last season.
The designation doesn’t mean he will play against the Cowboys. The Packers will most likely give him a ramp-up period. Still, the 21-day practice window opens the door for Riley to get back on the field at some point in the near future.
