The Green Bay Packers’ secondary is suddenly a question before Sunday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Starting cornerback Keisean Nixon (groin) and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, a week after Dallas receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens had big games.
The Packers (3-2) host the Cowboys (2-3) at Lambeau Field on Sunday, October 18, at 8:20 p.m. EDT on NBC. Green Bay is coming off a 31-7 rout of the Chicago Bears in which its defense forced five turnovers.
Nixon’s absence was the surprise
Nixon was the unexpected name on the report. He played the first 58 minutes against Chicago before sitting with other starters after the two-minute warning, and he has not missed a game since joining Green Bay in 2022. He has an interception and three pass breakups this season and has been the team’s top outside corner.
St-Juste hurt his hamstring on special teams against the Bears. If neither can play, rookie Brandon Cisse and veteran Carrington Valentine would be next in line on the outside.
That is a tough assignment. Lamb and Pickens have combined for 66 catches, 857 yards and five touchdowns in five games. Lamb caught 17 passes for 189 yards against the Houston Texans two weeks ago, and Pickens had nine catches for 130 yards in last Thursday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“Of course it’s going to be a challenge for us to find a way to strap them up. But that’s the NFL. That’s our job,” safety Evan Williams said. Williams was limited with an illness on Wednesday.
The defensive line is still short
Five Packers did not practice: Nixon, St-Juste, nose tackle Jonathan Ford (calf), receiver and returner Skyy Moore (ankle) and Javon Hargrave, whose season ended with a torn Achilles against Chicago. Hargrave has not been moved to injured reserve yet, so he stays on the report. Warren Brinson is already on injured reserve, which leaves Green Bay with very few healthy defensive tackles.
Devonte Wyatt (ankle) and Anthony Campbell (ankle) were limited, and Jordon Riley was limited after being designated to return from last year’s torn Achilles. Matt LaFleur would not commit to Campbell, who has missed three games. “If he’s ready to go, he’ll be in there. If not, we’ll have to get somebody else ready to play,” LaFleur said.
Guard Aaron Banks (knee, toe) and center Jacob Monk (quadriceps) were limited, as was receiver Savion Williams (ankle). Edge rusher Lukas Van Ness (shoulder) was a full participant.
Cowboys’ side
Dallas held out cornerbacks Cobie Durant (hamstring) and Ameer Speed, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and tackle Drew Shelton. Von Miller had a rest day. Lamb and left tackle Tyler Guyton were full participants, and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was limited.
Wednesday’s practice report
- Packers, did not practice: DT Jonathan Ford (calf), DT Javon Hargrave (Achilles), WR Skyy Moore (ankle), CB Keisean Nixon (groin), CB Benjamin St-Juste (hamstring)
- Packers, limited: G Aaron Banks (knee, toe), DT Anthony Campbell (ankle), C/G Jacob Monk (quadriceps), DT Jordon Riley (Achilles), S Evan Williams (illness), WR Savion Williams (ankle), DT Devonte Wyatt (ankle)
- Packers, full: EDGE Lukas Van Ness (shoulder)
- Cowboys, did not practice: CB Cobie Durant (hamstring), LB Von Miller (rest), LB DeMarvion Overshown, T Drew Shelton, CB Ameer Speed
- Cowboys, limited: CB Joey Porter Jr.
- Cowboys, full: S Alijah Clark, T Tyler Guyton, LB James Houston, WR CeeDee Lamb, CB Shavon Revel Jr., G Tyler Smith
What comes next
With a Sunday night kickoff, the Packers have extra time before Friday’s game designations. Whether Nixon returns to practice Thursday is the main thing to watch. Without him and St-Juste, Green Bay would face Dak Prescott’s passing game with a rookie and a backup on the outside.
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