It's a brutal business.
Only a week ago, it was becoming increasingly difficult to predict the Green Bay Packers' 53-man roster without including defensive back Johnathan Baldwin. He had seemingly carved out a role in Jonathan Gannon's defense as the No. 2 slot corner behind Javon Bullard.
Unfortunately, Baldwin suffered a knee injury during practice, and the Packers have now waived him with an injury designation. It's such a tough break. He had been among the surprise standouts at camp, highlighted by an interception against Tyrod Taylor.
It's not necessarily the end of the road for Baldwin in Green Bay. There's a potential path to a practice squad spot once he's fully healthy, but that won't make it much easier for him now.
His departure also leaves the Packers with a new problem. Who backs up Bullard?
The Packers suddenly have a potential nickel problem after releasing Johnathan Baldwin
To make matters worse, Bullard exited Sunday's practice with an apparent injury. It's uncertain how much time, if any, he will miss, but it only amplifies the Packers' problem. They looked in great shape earlier in camp with Bullard as the starter and Baldwin stepping in with the second-team defense.
With Baldwin no longer on the roster, who is the No. 2 option at nickel?
Packers snaps at slot corner in 2025 (per PFF)
Player | Snaps |
|---|---|
Javon Bullard | 493 |
Evan Williams | 126 |
Nate Hobbs | 86 |
Xavier McKinney | 46 |
Kitan Oladapo | 34 |
Trevon Diggs | 11 |
Keisean Nixon | 6 |
Carrington Valentine | 6 |
Johnathan Baldwin | 6 |
Zayne Anderson | 5 |
Bullard dominated the snaps at slot corner last season. Evan Williams and Xavier McKinney spent time there, but the vast majority of their work came at free and box safety. Nate Hobbs, Trevon Diggs, and Zayne Anderson are no longer in Green Bay.
Kitan Oladapo stepped into the starting defense at Sunday's practice following Bullard's injury. He might be the frontrunner.
Keisean Nixon could be a wild-card choice. According to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman, Nixon spent some time with the backup defense on Sunday, which is surprising. That could indicate the Packers are at least open to the idea of starting Brandon Cisse and Benjamin St-Juste on the outside.
If that's even a conversation, then it would suggest they are comfortable with their two offseason additions playing significant snaps on the boundary. So why not have Nixon, who has extensive experience at nickel, shift to that position if Bullard leaves the field? From 2023 to 2024, Nixon played 974 snaps at slot corner, per PFF.
That said, there's a reason why the Packers moved Nixon outside full-time. He was hardly an All-Pro slot corner, earning PFF coverage grades of 60.3 and 60.7 in those two seasons, respectively, before improving to 67.8 last year when he played predominantly on the boundary.
Bullard will remain the Packers' starting slot corner. Hopefully, his injury isn't serious.
Baldwin had looked like a capable backup in the first week of training camp and offered the versatility to play multiple positions. His release via injury designation is a reminder of how ruthless roster cuts can be.
And his departure also creates a new problem for the Packers.
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