Former Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Kingsley Keke didn’t have to wait long to find a new team.
The Houston Texans claimed Keke off of waivers on Thursday, according to the league’s transaction wire.
In a surprising roster move, the Packers waived Keke on Wednesday. His roster spot went to Randall Cobb on Thursday.
Keke’s departure remains a bit of a mystery. He was a healthy scratch during the Packers’ Week 16 win over the Cleveland Browns and didn’t play while dealing with COVID-19 and an illness over the final two weeks. His last action for the Packers was in Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Coach Matt LaFleur declined to get into specifics or the reasoning behind his release when asked on Thursday, calling it a “tough decision.” He was confident Keke would get another opportunity in the NFL, and his prediction was proved correct soon after.
Keke, a fifth-round pick in 2019, produced 2.5 sacks and a career-high 24 total pressures over 12 games and 393 defensive snaps in 2021.
An ascending young player, Keke provided a disruptive interior pass-rusher who was developing into a starting-caliber defensive end.
Keke is from Texas and went to school at Texas A&M.
Because the transaction was made during the playoffs, Keke won’t officially join the Texans until after the Super Bowl.
