The Green Bay Packers received a concerning last-minute update hours before their “Thursday Night Football” game against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8. Cornerback Keisean Nixon was added to the injury report with a shoulder injury, and he is officially listed as questionable to play.

If Nixon can’t go, Benjamin St-Juste and Carrington Valentine look like the natural replacement options.

A new injury at a bad time

Nixon wasn’t on the injury report at any point during the week. This is a new injury, and it puts the status of the Packers’ top cornerback in question a few hours before kickoff.

That’s a tough development for a defense that has relied on his availability. Nixon has not missed a game this season and has been one of the more durable players on the roster. He has also played respectably, and he has been much better than he was last year. For a player in a contract year, that’s the kind of return Green Bay was hoping to get.

Losing him for this game would be a significant blow. Nixon has been a steady presence on the outside, and his experience helps against a talented Panthers’ offensive weaponry.

Who replaces Nixon on the boundary

The good news for Green Bay is that St-Juste is healthy after missing the past two games with a hamstring injury. He was taken off the injury report on Wednesday, so the Packers at least have a capable starter ready to fill in.

If Nixon can’t play, the top cornerback is second-round rookie Brandon Cisse.

Valentine is the alternative to St-Juste. He isn’t a physical player, but he is a solid cover corner. The Packers’ coaching staff could reasonably decide his coverage skills are worth the trade-off.

Beyond Nixon, St-Juste, Cisse, and Valentine, the Packers also have Kamal Hadden on the 53-man roster. He offers depth if the game forces Green Bay deeper into its cornerback rotation.

Practice squad options

The Packers have help available outside the active roster as well. Dominic Jackson, a sixth-round rookie, is on the practice squad and could be elevated for gameday if the coaching staff wants another body in the secondary.

Elijah Culp, who joined the practice squad earlier this season, is another option. Neither player would be expected to take on a major role, but having extra healthy cornerbacks available on a short week could be important.

Green Bay has until 3 p.m. (CT) to make roster moves ahead of the game. Any elevation from the practice squad would give a strong hint about how the team views Nixon’s chances of playing.