Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon. MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL / USA TODAY NETWORK

Packers taking notice of red-hot returner Keisean Nixon

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is willing to concede that he should have played cornerback and returner Keisean Nixon sooner than later. 

Nixon is one of the game's hottest returners. He is giving the Packers a spark when they need it most. 

Nixon spent his first three years in the league with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders after signing with them as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina in 2019. 

However, his first year in Green Bay has provided him a platform to breakout like he never has.

On defense, Nixon is helping the Packers' struggling secondary. He's got 23 tackles, a pick and two passes defended in 14 games played. He's started in four of those contests. 

On special teams, he is giving teams nightmares. In 28 kick returns this year, he has earned 712 yards and has averaged 25.4 yards per return. He has 16 returns that have gone for 20-plus yards, and three that have gone for 40-plus yards. 

He's also added 92 yards on six punt returns. 

His 52-yard kickoff return during Green Bay's 24-12 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday got Packers special teams coach Rich Bisaccia amped up on the sideline.

Nixon's mom was in attendance to see her son shine on one of football's biggest stages.

It's not just his coaches and his mom taking notice. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has become one of Nixon's biggest fans, too. 

Even though the Packers have had a down season, they seem to have a keeper in Nixon. 

He figures to be returning kicks and playing defense in Green Bay for some time to come.

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