Packers Sign Receiver to Practice Squad

The Green Bay Packers filled their practice squad by signing a receiver who was drafted in 2021 but suspended in 2022.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers filled the open spot on their practice squad by signing receiver Kawaan Baker. He was on the field for Wednesday’s practice.

Baker was a seventh-round draft pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2021. After spending most of his rookie season on their practice squad, Baker was suspended early in training camp this summer for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. He was allowed to play in the preseason, catching four passes for 44 yards, but had to sit out the first six games of the regular season. With his suspension complete, the Saints released him on Monday.

With the Packers, he joins Juwann Winfree and Travis Fulgham on the practice squad. The team is down two members of its 53-man roster, though, with Randall Cobb (ankle) and Christian Watson (hamstring) sidelined.

At South Alabama, Baker caught 126 passes for 1,829 yards and 16 touchdowns (14.5 average), added 82 rushes for 376 yards and 11 more scores, and averaged 21.5 yards per kickoff return.

“Kawaan Baker, the receiver we took later in the draft, is someone that has position flex relative to you see him line up in the slot,” then-Saints coach Sean Payton said after the 2021 draft. “He’s a high-IQ player for the receiver position. He’s played in multiple positions.”

At the school’s pro day before the 2021 draft, he measured 6-0 1/2 and 210 pounds. He ran his 40 in 4.41 seconds with a 39.5-inch vertical leap.

Baker was the first homegrown South Alabama player to be drafted following the shuttering and rebirth of the football program.

“It’s definitely a blessing,” Baker said after being drafted. “All the hard work I put in, the sacrifices that I’ve made just to come to this point, so I’m not going to take it lightly. Coming in with aggression, and I’m going to make the most of my opportunities. ….

“I’ve dreamed about it, I’ve thought about it my whole life, so, I mean, the time is here. I can’t not be ready.”

The Packers on Tuesday re-signed safety Innis Gaines to the practice squad and released linebacker Ray Wilborn and cornerback Benjie Franklin.

Six Facts About Packers-Commanders

The Green Bay Packers will face the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field on Sunday. Here are six quick-hitting notes to get you ready.

In Command

The Packers could use this blast from the past: In seven career starts against Washington, including the 2015 playoffs, Aaron Rodgers has thrown 16 touchdown passes vs. one interception, good for a 107.0 passer rating.

Under Pressure

Powered by their three first-round picks on the defensive line, the Commanders are fourth in sack rate (10.0 percent) while the Packers are fifth (9.27). On the other side of the ball, Washington is sixth in sack rate allowed (9.91 percent). Green Bay is in the middle of the pack but has allowed the second-most sacks (10) on third down.

Speaking of Third Down

These are two of the best third-down defenses in the NFL. The Packers are first in the league with a conversion rate allowed of 26.6 percent while the Commanders are third at 31.7 percent. Those powerful pass rushes are a big reason. The reason why these defenses aren’t even close to ranking in the top 10 in points allowed is first down. The Packers rank 24th with 5.92 yards allowed per play on first down while the Commanders are 31st with 7.02 yards. That sums up how the Packers allowed just 1-of-11 on third down vs. the Jets but gave up 17 points on defense, anyway.

Backup Plan

Usually, it’s good news to go against a backup quarterback. Maybe not for the Packers. Commanders starter Carson Wentz is 22nd in passer rating, 28th in yards per attempt and 30th in interception but is out after finger surgery. Taylor Heinicke will get the start. He started last year’s game at Lambeau Field. While the Packers won 24-10, Heinicke threw for 268 yards and ran for 95 more.

Three-Headed Monster

The Commanders have a three-back rotation. Rookie Brian Robinson, who missed the first four games of the season after being shot, started at Chicago on Thursday and rushed for 60 yards and one touchdown. Do-it-all Antonio Gibson topped 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns from scrimmage in each of his first two seasons. J.D. McKissic has 24 receptions after catching 80 passes in 2020. Commanders coach Ron Rivera liked the approach last week against Chicago in which Robinson brought the power to set up Gibson’s speed.

The Great/Awful Packers Pass Defense

Through six games, the Packers are No. 1 in the NFL with 164.0 passing yards allowed per game. That’s great. What’s not so great? Even after a solid week last week, the Packers are still last (or tied for last) in the NFL in completion percentage allowed (70.9 percent), interceptions (one) and passes defensed (12). Added together, the Packers are 23rd with an opponent passer rating of 97.0.

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