The Green Bay Packers made a surprise roster move on Wednesday. The team announced the release of defensive lineman Kingsley Keke.
Keke, a fifth-round pick of the Packers in 2019, appeared in 12 games for the team this season but hadn’t been on the field since Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Keke missed the Packers’ Week 17 win over the Minnesota Vikings while on the COVID-19 reserve list and also missed Week 18 due to an illness. He was a healthy scratch for Week 16 against the Cleveland Browns, the first sign of potential trouble.
More information on why Keke was released will need to be uncovered. When healthy and available, he was a preferred starter along the defensive line, an important part of Joe Barry’s pass-rushing group and an ascending individual pass-rusher.
Over 41 games in Green Bay, Keke produced 6.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits. He had 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups and four quarterback hits in 2021.
Keke was the 150th overall pick in the 2019 draft.
The Packers did not make a corresponding roster move.
