Packers sign former Ravens LB Kristian Welch to practice squad

The Green Bay Packers filled their 17-player* practice squad by signing former Baltimore Ravens linebacker and special teamer Kristian Welch on Thursday.

Welch (6-3, 240) is an undrafted free agent out of Iowa in 2020. The 25-year-old made 21 tackles over 43 regular season games and three seasons with the Ravens (2020-22). Of his 21 tackles, 18 came on special teams.

Per PFF, Welch played 46 defensive snaps but 955 snaps on special teams for the Ravens. He was on the field for 200 special teams snaps in 2020, 380 in 2021 and 355 in 2022. PFF had Welch in on 19 total special teams tackles (13 solo, six assisted), and he committed just one penalty and missed three tackles.

Welch is a native of Iola, Wisconsin. He was an all-state pick as a high school senior and then an All-Big Ten pick during his senior season at Iowa in 2019.

Of note, the Packers did not re-sign linebacker Tariq Carpenter or defensive lineman Jonathan Ford to the practice squad on Thursday. Both 2022 draft picks were released on Wednesday after making the initial 53-man roster. It’s possible one or both could still return if a better opportunity outside of Green Bay doesn’t exist.

*The Packers get an extra player on the practice squad due to an international exemption for outside linebacker Kenneth Odumegwu.