Packers’ Keisean Nixon Makes Request After Fumble in Loss Against Eagles

Dak Prescott (4) of the Dallas Cowboys is pursued by Keisean Nixon (25) of the Green Bay Packers during the second half of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Jan. 14, 2024. Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon had one wish after his opening kickoff fumble contributed to a season-ending 22–10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

“I want to be CB1,” Nixon told reporters on Monday. “CB1 is not doing kick returns. That’s just what it is.”

The fumble set up the Eagles (14–3) for a quick start with a three-play, 28-yard drive as quarterback Jalen Hurts hit wide receiver Jahan Dotson for an 11-yard touchdown. The Eagles notably only managed one other touchdown the entire game against a stingy Packers defense.

Nixon, a two-time All-Pro returner, led the NFL in kickoff return yards in 2022 and 2023, but his role increased on defense this season with the Packers. He tallied multiple career highs amid 88 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles, and seven pass deflections.

“I’m kind of over it; I don’t really want to do it no more,” Nixon said regarding kick returns. “There’s going to be talks with the coaching staff and stuff like that, but I think it’s over with for me.”

While Nixon remained firm on his desire to just play corner, he doubled down on his view of the fumbled kickoff. The officials kept the ruling after a video replay.

“I got the ball back for sure, and then it should’ve been targeting, helmet to helmet,” Nixon said. “But can’t dwell on that. I’ve never been hit that hard either.”

Green Bay (11–6) had a string of injuries in the loss. Defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt suffered a leg injury, center Josh Myers a knee injury, left guard Elgton Jenkins and wide receiver Jayden Reed shoulder injuries, and wide receiver Romeo Doubs a concussion.

“It’s football. It’s unfortunate, and I hate it for our guys that have to battle through it, but it’s football. It’s a next-man-up mentality,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters afterward.

The voids on offense due to injuries showed as the Packers scored their lowest point total of the season.

On defense, the Packers couldn’t slow down Eagles superstar running back Saquon Barkley, who had 119 yards rushing on 25 carries.

Green Bay ended the season two games better than 2023 but didn’t make the Divisional Round this time. Packers quarterback Jordan Love had a breakout season in 2023 when the team threatened to beat the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round, but he finished with 212 yards and three interceptions in the latest postseason loss at Philly.

“I think there’s obviously areas that I improved on, that the team improved on,” Love told reporters regarding the season. “And there’s some stuff I want to clean up, be better at, for sure.”