The Green Bay Packers continued to adjust their roster on Monday, releasing linebacker Kristian Welch. A sixth-year veteran out of Iowa, Welch was in his second stint with the Packers. He made his season debut in Sunday’s 16-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers after being elevated from the practice squad.
Currently, the Packers sit atop the NFC North with a 5-2-1 record.
### Packers Lose Core Special Teamer to IR
After spending the first eight weeks on the practice squad, Welch, 27, was signed to the 53-man roster following an injury to core special teamer Nick Niemann. Welch played 10 special teams snaps on Sunday: four on kickoff coverage, and three each on kickoff return and punt return.
With the Packers scheduled to host the Philadelphia Eagles next Monday, it’s possible that Welch could be re-signed in the coming days. His release leaves the Packers thin at linebacker.
Niemann, a fifth-year veteran with 11 tackles in seven games, was placed on injured reserve Saturday due to a pectoral injury. Niemann, whose 114 special teams snaps rank third on the team behind Isaiah McDuffie and Ty’Ron Hopper, will miss at least the next three games before being eligible to return this season.
### Welch’s Second Stint with the Packers
Welch was also with Green Bay in 2023, recording six tackles in 14 games. He signed with the Denver Broncos the following offseason but was released after just six games. He finished the 2024 campaign with the Baltimore Ravens, reuniting with the franchise that signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
In 73 career NFL games (with two starts), the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Welch has amassed 40 tackles (20 solo) and one fumble recovery.
### Packers Star Tight End Diagnosed with ACL Tear
In another tough blow for the Packers, tight end Tucker Kraft was placed on injured reserve with an ACL tear. Kraft, who turned 25 on Monday, was having a breakout season with 32 receptions for a team-high 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight games.
With Welch released and Kraft landing on IR, the Packers now have two open spots on their 53-man roster as they navigate through these midseason challenges.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/green-bay-packers/kristian-welch-released/