Packers CB Keisean Nixon will be activated off NFI list

The Green Bay Packers will begin their 10th training camp practice on Sunday, and beforehand, they received some good news on the injury front.

When meeting with reporters, Matt LaFleur mentioned that cornerback Keisean Nixon would be activated off the NFI list after being placed there prior to training camp with a groin injury.

The Packers signed Nixon as a free agent earlier this offseason, and although he has yet to participate in a training camp practice, I feel confident in saying that he will be on the 53-man roster.

For one, Nixon was consistently the fourth cornerback in terms of playing time during minicamp in early June.

He also brings special teams experience, having played nearly 700 career snaps, all of which came in Las Vegas under Rich Bisaccia. Nixon has been active in each phase of the special teams unit, from the return and coverage units to the field goal block team as well

In all likelihood, Bisaccia probably had some say in the team signing Nixon earlier this year.

From a defensive standpoint, Nixon has played just under 300 snaps over his career, but most came from the slot in 2021–an area where the Packers could use more experience.

Shemar Jean-Charles can cover slot snaps too, but as a second-year player, he has just 38 career snaps. Rico Gafford is a recent wide receiver to cornerback convert, while Kabion Ento, Kiondre Thomas, and Donte Vaughn have never been on a 53-man roster.

Of course, Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and Rasul Douglas will take the bulk of the cornerback snaps, but it remains to be seen who will line up in the slot. My thought is that it will vary week to week depending on the matchup, but having an additional player, such as Nixon, to lean on if needed for those slot snaps can provide Joe Barry and this defense with added flexibility.

Last season, Nixon allowed four completions on five targets but held the pass-catcher to an impressive 5.3 yards per catch, according to PFF ($$).

In addition to Nixon returning, Randy Ramsey is as well. Ramsey was held out of Friday’s Family Night practice with an ankle injury. Ramsey was sidelined all of last season after suffering an ankle injury over the summer.

Also back is Malik Taylor, who had missed time with a shoulder injury and was wearing a red non-contact jersey, while Patrick Taylor was doing individual drills.