The Green Bay Packers confirmed that cornerback Keisean Nixon is officially active and will play Sunday against the New England Patriots in Week 9.

The Packers had listed their starting cornerback as questionable with a groin injury. Green Bay first added Nixon to the injury report last week on Thursday, before the Week 8 game against the Carolina Panthers. He was still able to play in that game.

How the week played out for Nixon

Nixon’s practice schedule pointed toward Sunday availability. He was limited on Wednesday, did not practice on Thursday, and then returned on Friday. That Friday session was a strong indication he would be ready to go against New England.

The Saturday roster moves, or lack thereof, told the same story. The Packers chose not to elevate any cornerbacks from the practice squad for game day. They would likely have needed extra depth at the position if Nixon had been in serious doubt.

It wasn’t necessarily a surprise, then, but it is welcome news for Green Bay. Nixon has played well and has been an important starter, and he has been much better than he was for the Packers last season. Rookie second-round pick Brandon Cisse plays opposite him, and the Packers have gotten a lot of production from their starting cornerbacks.

Running back situation

Running back MarShawn Lloyd was also listed as questionable for this game, and he’s inactive. Lloyd is dealing with a knee injury he suffered during the week. Without him, the RB room has Josh Jacobs, Pierre Strong, and Kaleb Johnson.

The Packers had initially listed running back Chris Brooks as questionable too. However, Brooks remains on injured reserve. Green Bay designated him to return earlier this week as he works back from an ankle injury. The team did not activate Brooks on Saturday, so this decision had already settled that he would not play against the Patriots.

Green Bay had also ruled out several players before Sunday: Linebacker Zaire Franklin (shin), guard Travis Glover (knee), center Sean Rhyan (ankle), and tight end Josh Whyle (concussion). As expected, edge defender Micah Parsons was also ruled out as he remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. His 21-day practice window opened earlier this week, which allows him to practice without being activated to the 53-man roster. However, Parsons is expected to play only in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams.

The absences put some pressure on the interior of the offensive line, with both Glover and Rhyan out. The interior group should be the same as last week, with Aaron Banks, John Williams, and Laken Tomlinson.

At least, though, having Nixon available keeps one area of the roster intact, and the secondary has been one of the most reliable units for Green Bay.