As the Green Bay Packers finalize their 53-man roster ahead of the 2026 NFL season, the team made a tough but calculated decision on August 30, waiving rookie cornerback Domani Jackson. The sixth-round pick (201st overall) from the 2026 NFL Draft struggled during the preseason, particularly in the finale against the Arizona Cardinals, where the Packers' defense allowed 38 points. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, the move comes as no surprise to those who closely monitored Green Bay's training camp battles.
Preseason Struggles and Roster Crunch
Jackson, who missed the start of camp while recovering from core muscle surgery, showed promise in his Week 2 preseason debut but faltered when the intensity ramped up. In the preseason finale, the Cardinals exploited the Packers' third-string secondary, and Jackson was part of a unit that gave up three consecutive touchdowns in the final offensive drives against the Pittsburgh Steelers a week earlier. As highlighted on Vulius, these performances underscored the steep learning curve for late-round rookies, especially at cornerback.
The Packers have now trimmed seven defensive backs from their 91-man roster, leaving nine players in the secondary who appear to have secured spots. The current group includes Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Brandon Cisse, Benjamin St-Juste, Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Kitan Oladapo, and Kamal Hadden. With NFL teams typically carrying at least nine defensive backs due to the five-DB base defense and special teams demands, the Packers felt they couldn't afford to keep a project like Jackson on the active roster.
"Third-string defensive backs aren't supposed to play football games for Green Bay," noted one analyst, emphasizing that the regular season will feature the starters and key backups, not the fringe players who struggled in August.
Practice Squad Potential
Despite the waiver, the Packers are reportedly interested in bringing Jackson back on the practice squad, per CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz. This would allow the team to develop his raw talent without occupying a valuable active roster spot. For Jackson, a practice squad stint could be the perfect opportunity to refine his technique and learn the system, much like many late-round picks who eventually contribute after a year of seasoning.
The decision reflects the harsh reality of NFL roster cuts, where even draft picks aren't guaranteed jobs. As the Packers turn their focus to the regular season, the secondary will rely on veterans and young players who proved themselves in camp. For Jackson, the journey is far from over—a practice squad role could be the first step toward a future on the field at Lambeau Field.
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