Packers get mixed injury news on key cornerback ahead of Patriots game as huge streak hangs in the balance
The veteran cornerback has been a steady piece of an improved secondary, and Green Bay is already missing several starters for the matchup with New England.
The Green Bay Packers received a positive injury update on cornerback Keisean Nixon ahead of Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots. His status remains uncertain, though. Nixon returned to practice Friday after a groin injury kept him out Thursday, and the team officially listed him as questionable to face the Patriots.
Nixon has dealt with the injury since last week. The Packers added him to the injury report on game day against the Carolina Panthers, when Green Bay played on “Thursday Night Football.” This week, he was limited Wednesday, did not practice Thursday, and returned in a limited capacity Friday.
Packers’ injury report
Week 9 vs. Patriots
- LB Zaire Franklin (shin/out)
- G Travis Glover (knee/out)
- EDGE Micah Parsons (knee/out) – PUP
- C Sean Rhyan (ankle/out)
- TE Josh Whyle (concussion/out)
- RB Chris Brooks (ankle/questionable) – IR
- RB MarShawn Lloyd (knee/questionable)
- CB Keisean Nixon (groin/questionable)
A monster streak on the line
Nixon’s availability matters for more than the depth chart. The cornerback has played in 76 consecutive regular season games for the Packers since he first signed with the team in 2022. For a player at a physical position like cornerback, that’s a remarkable run of durability.
He is now on his third contract with Green Bay. Nixon is in the final season of the three-year deal he signed in 2024, which adds another layer to how the team handles his workload and his future.
Nixon has also put together a solid season, and likely his best one as a cornerback. He has allowed a 75.4 passer rating when targeted, with one interception and two pass breakups. Nixon has added two pressures and 14 stops as well.
That production has been important for an upgraded cornerback group. The Packers had problems at the position last year, and Nixon was part of those struggles. The room has looked much better with second-round rookie Brandon Cisse in the mix, and Nixon has individually played at a much higher level. Losing him, even for one game, would test that improvement.
Who else is out for Green Bay
Beyond Nixon, the Packers have ruled out four players from the 53-man roster: Linebacker Zaire Franklin (shin), guard Travis Glover (knee), center Sean Rhyan (high ankle sprain), and tight end Josh Whyle (concussion).
The offensive line takes the biggest hit here. Glover is still recovering from his knee injury, and Rhyan’s high ankle sprain removes another interior piece. The most likely scenario is that Green Bay keeps the formation that played against the Panthers, with Jordan Morgan, Aaron Banks, John Williams, Laken Tomlinson, and Anthony Belton.
Edge defender Micah Parsons is also out, as expected. Parsons, who is still recovering from his ACL injury, returned to practice this week, but he isn’t ready to return to games yet. The expectation is he’ll get back versus the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12.
Running back Chris Brooks is in a similar spot. The Packers opened his 21-day practice window this week as he works back from injured reserve, and he is questionable to play. Fellow running back MarShawn Lloyd is also questionable with a knee injury.
The Patriots side
New England has injury problems of its own. Wide receiver A.J. Brown is out with ankle and knee injuries, which removes the top target from the Patriots’ passing game. Former Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs is on injured reserve, which means he won’t play either. Running back TreVeyon Henderson is also out with an illness.
Brown and Doubs’ absences could ease some of the pressure on a Green Bay secondary, whether Nixon plays or not.
