Keisean Nixon participates in offensive drills
The All-Pro returner could become a potential three-way player.
By PackerAaron
Earlier this offseason, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur teased the possibility of seeing Keisean Nixon on offense.
Today, Nixon was seen running routes and working with the offensive skill position players.
No, CB/KR Keisean Nixon wasn’t lost. He was supposed to be down with the offense catching passes.
Rare to see a green jersey with the offensive guys but Matt LaFleur suggested this offseason he might consider giving the All Pro return man some snaps. pic.twitter.com/nJeLre6ACz
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) July 29, 2023
Obviously, it is still incredibly early and there's a big difference between catching a few balls during drills and actually asking a defensive player to step in and contribute on offense during a game.
The possibilities, however, are undeniably exiting. Given the spark Nixon gave to special teams and indeed the entire team last season when inserted as the primary kick returner, the idea of getting the ball in his hands as many ways as possible has to have LaFleur dreaming up all sorts of ways to feature him.
Of course, later on in the same practice, Nixon went down with an injury during punt return work. The veteran was back in on defense a bit later and reportedly seemed no worse for wear, but the specter of increased chances for injury with more of an overall workload had to have been on the minds of the Packers brain trust. We'll see if Nixon ever ends up seeing time on offense or if this ends up nothing more than a passing summer idea that is relegated to the dustbin of camp.
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Comments (15)
NickPerry
July 29, 2023 at 01:13 pm
I get it, Nixon is an exciting player with the ball in his hands. But I'd much rather save him for Defense if in fact he'll be the nickel CB and his return duties. I understand a play here and there is okay BUT...
They have Tyler Goodson who I see as a great option to run the "Jet Sweep" stuff Erwin used to run in 2020. Christian Watson can take it to the house ANYTIME he touches the ball too, but the dude I WANT to see used ALL OVER is Jaylen Reed.
PatrickGB
July 29, 2023 at 02:40 pm
Injury? What’s the update?
Thegreatreynoldo
July 29, 2023 at 04:47 pm
Nixon seemed to shake if off, and later returned to the field. Kraft took a knee to the quadriceps and did not return. He was seen applying ice to it on the sidelines, so he didn't leave the facility. Still, it is a concern.
That's in the Roundup that will publish at 8 pm.
Ray-66
July 29, 2023 at 04:36 pm
If Nixon becomes too important to the defense, does he get taken off the return duties?
If so, who returns kicks? Perhaps Melton?
cdoemel
July 29, 2023 at 05:00 pm
Reed?
dblbogey
July 29, 2023 at 06:43 pm
My biggest worry on offense is that Jake Hanson, Royce Newman and Sean Rhyan are the top backups for the interior OL, and Josh Myers is our starting center.
Johnblood27
July 30, 2023 at 06:26 am
Yee Gads!! and Yikes!! in the same sentence!!
The tackle position is certainly overstocked (if that is even possible), but it is going to take some rather large steps forward for the back-up (and in some instances starters) for the IOL to be solid.
I hope Steno has a hand on Mr Butkus's shoulder...
Postman
July 30, 2023 at 08:57 am
Pads come on Monday. Then we will be able to see what we have with the line play. I would love to see Caleb Jones have a chance with the ones at RT. It has been since Aman Green that we have had a bulldozer at RT.
WestCoastPackerBacker
July 30, 2023 at 05:46 pm
In that instance, wouldn’t they put Yosh at RT and Zach Tom at an interior spot?
Leatherhead
July 30, 2023 at 05:59 pm
The Packers are looking at positions, not players.
LT being the most important position, they're going to start Bakhtiari but use Nijman to help carry the load, making the LT spot pretty solid.
With a good LG, Jenkins, that gives us a pretty good left side.
Meanwhile, if Tom can be a starting RT in the league this year, then play him there. If he can't, there'll need to be an adjustment but it looks like the Packers think he can.
If nobody gets hurt, this is a good offensive line.
greengold
July 30, 2023 at 06:18 pm
We’ll be fine.
All of Murphy, Gutekunst, LaFleur are insanely competitive. They will insure the Packers have the best possible OL they can put in front of Love.
All 3 of Hanson, Newman & Rhyan are fighting like hell to stay on the team from my perspective. There’s a TON of competition for their roster spots.
Leatherhead
July 31, 2023 at 09:09 am
Newman, Hanson, and Rhyan are currently our #7, #8, and #9 guys. I'm not sure any of the others are going to be much of an improvement. Newman has started quite a few NFL games, Rhyan was a Day 2 pick going into his second year.
greengold
July 31, 2023 at 09:27 am
We can agree to disagree there.
Personally, who CAN'T offer an improvement over Hanson? Newman? He never set the world on fire with the Packers. PFF gave Royce Newman a 57.5 Overall Grade last season. 54.9 Pass Blocking, 57.6 Run Blocking. He didn't fare any better in 2021. Hardly a lock as a #7 OL.
None of us knows what Rhyan is. It's entirely possible he is a BEAST at OC. His physicality & play style from his time starting at LT at UCLA shows him to be supremely athletic. His physical profile is perfect for the position. Maybe he makes a player like Myers expendable as a trade asset?
mrtundra
July 31, 2023 at 08:05 am
Big Mac recently did a show with Nagler and he thinks UDFA Kadeem Telfort, OT out of UAB, could move inside to play OG, if they need him to. Pads on at camp might show him getting some time on the OL. If nothing else, that is an option GB has. GB seems to love taking OTs and moving them inside. Sean Rhyan is in that same boat. On where to play Yosh and Tom, I'd say Yosh is at RT, unless Bakh cannot go. I'd give RT to Tom if Yosh takes over for Bakh, on the LT spot. Tom could also give Meyers a run for his money, at Center. Meyers has to show improvement, after regressing a bit, last season, if he wants the starting job at Center.
porupack
July 30, 2023 at 11:34 am
Well, anytime a person exceeds expectations and excels, they deserve consideration for any promotion and deference. If Nixon wants more work, he deserves first right of refusal. If he can run routes and catch, and equal or better any other WR or cover as well or better than any defensive player, then he deserves the nod. And if he leaves a gap at return, so be it. Find a replacement. That is what merit based work is all about. Give deference to whoever outperforms.