Green Bay is already short-handed at cornerback, with veteran Benjamin St-Juste ruled out with a hamstring injury. Cisse’s availability adds a critical option against a Dallas passing attack featuring CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. The update was announced on Sunday, confirming that Cisse is active for the contest.
Cisse Gives Packers Needed Reinforcement
The Packers selected Cisse with the 52nd overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft, making him the highest-drafted Packers cornerback since Eric Stokes in 2021. He has contributed as a rookie, posting 21 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two passes defensed through his first five games.
His most notable moment came in Green Bay’s 31-7 win over the Chicago Bears, when, late in the first half, he sacked Tyson Bagent for a 6-yard loss and then broke up a pass intended for Rome Odunze, forcing a punt. The sequence helped prevent the Bears from building momentum and showcased his versatility, which attracted interest during the draft. Cisse also earned first-team reps during training camp, though his early-season playing time comes with the typical learning curve for a young defensive back.
With St-Juste sidelined, Green Bay has Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Cisse, and Kamal Hadden as its four active cornerbacks. Missing Cisse would have left the Packers with a thinner rotation against one of the NFL’s most dangerous receiving duos.
Cowboys Present Major Test for Green Bay’s Secondary
Dallas presents a different challenge from the Bears. Through five games, Lamb and Pickens had combined for 66 receptions, 857 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. Pickens had nine catches for 130 yards against Tampa Bay in Week 5, while Lamb had a standout game with 189 yards on 17 receptions earlier in the season. Quarterback Dak Prescott is confident in challenging one-on-one coverage, demanding defensive backs to stay disciplined and competitive when the ball is in the air.
Safety Evan Williams emphasized the need to embrace such challenges, saying the defense must not shy away from contact and big plays. Cisse’s presence provides the coaching staff with another coverage option and added flexibility when matching up against Lamb and Pickens. However, being active does not guarantee he will play every snap or be fully limited by the hip issue.
Green Bay enters Sunday at 3-2 after back-to-back wins, while Dallas sits at 2-3 and looks to rebound after a loss to Tampa Bay. With St-Juste unavailable, Cisse’s clearance removes a significant question from the Packers’ preparation for a pivotal primetime test.
