Packers v. Vikings Inactives: Keisean Nixon and Christian Watson WILL play

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) smiles after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears during their football game Sunday, December 4, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinApc Packvsbears 1204220842djp
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) smiles after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears during their football game Sunday, December 4, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinApc Packvsbears 1204220842djp /
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Christian Watson and Keisean Nixon were the only members of the Green Bay Packers with injury designations on Friday, with both players listed as questionable. Some great news for the Packers, as both are also going to be active against the Vikings.

Nixon has provided the Green Bay kick return unit with game-changing return abilities, with the offense very much benefitting from shorter fields over the last several weeks. In what is likely going to be a close game, special teams play could be a deciding factor.

Having Nixon available also gives the Packers their starting slot corner on defense as well. While I expect Darnell Savage to be back in as a starter, I expect him to be at safety rather than in the slot. Last week in Nixon’s place, we saw Savage, but mostly Innis Gaines lined up inside. Perhaps if the Packers have Nixon on a snap count, we will still see Gaines on the field defensively.

Watson’s availability is also a massive boost for this Packers team. His home run ability on the outside has revitalized this offense over the last six games. Since Watson’s breakout game against Dallas, Green Bay is averaging 26.5 points per game. His presence not only brings big-play ability for himself but opens up opportunities for other pass catchers and can affect how opponents defend the Packers.

Against this Vikings’ defense, who runs a Vic Fangio-style system under Ed Donatell, I would expect Minnesota to play a lot of cover-2, trying to take away the big play while forcing Aaron Rodgers to be patient.

With both Nixon and Watson available, the Packers’ inactives list includes Shemar Jean-Charles, Krys Barnes, Rasheed Walker, Caleb Jones, Tyler Goodson, Bo Melton, and Jonathan Ford.

Jean-Charles has been inactive each week since returning from injury. Barnes, meanwhile, has been inactive more often than not recently. With De’Vondre Campbell healthy, he and Quay Walker dominate the defensive snaps, while Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson have been core special teams players. Right now, there just doesn’t seem to be a role for Barnes.

Goodson was elevated on Saturday from the practice squad, but it’s clear now that was an insurance move in case Nixon wasn’t able to handle kick returns. Jonathan Ford is inactive, which has been the case all season, but with Dean Lowry on IR, that leaves the Packers with only four interior defensive linemen. This is a Vikings interior offensive line that will be susceptible to giving up pressure, Kenny Clark, Jarran Reed, and Devonte Wyatt need to take advantage.

The newest Packer, Bo Melton, is inactive as well. Had Watson not been able to play, we probably would have seen Melton active today with only five healthy receivers on the 53-man roster. Melton brings elite speed to the position but likely would have been available for depth purposes, given that he just arrived a few days ago.

Lastly, Caleb Jones has been inactive all season — when available — and Walker has for the most part as well, except when the Packers found themselves a bit thin along the offensive line, but that isn’t the case today with both David Bakhtiari and Yosh Nijman available.