Packers claim CB Kyu Blu Kelly and release Innis Gaines: What to Know

The Green Bay Packers made a pair of transactions on Monday. The team announced that they released Innis Gaines, while Mike Garafolo reported that Green Bay had claimed cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly off waivers after he was released by Seattle. Here is what you need to know.

Kelly was a fifth-round pick in this past April’s draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He was released during roster cutdowns and spent time with Seattle before being released again. This season, Kelly played just one defensive snap and 37 on special teams, primarily on the kick coverage and punt return units.

Kelly stands 6’1,” weighs 191 pounds and posted a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 8.75 out of 10 during the pre-draft process. He played his college ball at Stanford where he primarily lined up on the boundary. Over his career, Kelly allowed a completion rate of 58 percent, including a low of 52 percent during his final season, at 14.3 yards per catch with three interceptions and 13 pass breakups. In four seasons, Kelly played 254 total special teams snaps.

For more on Kelly’s game and what he brings to this Packers team, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had this to say in his pre-draft scouting report:

"“Defender with good size, length and NFL bloodlines, but a concerning lack of recovery speed and coverage stickiness against quality route runners. When in position, Kelly possesses the ball skills and competitiveness to contest catches. He’s patient and efficient from press, but he could struggle to stay in phase with vertical route threats in man-to-man coverage. Kelly might be best suited for a backup role in a zone scheme, but the aggression will need to be cranked up in run support.”"

To make room on the full 53-man roster, the Packers chose to move on from Gaines, who was signed from the practice squad to the active roster on Saturday. The Pittsburgh game was Gaines’ fourth appearance of the season. In each instance, he was added to the game day roster to provide special teams depth, where he played 59 total snaps. Although listed as a safety, Gaines primary role on defense when called upon briefly in 2022 and during the summer was as a slot cornerback.

Gaines will not hit waivers and if he goes unclaimed, he is a free agent and can sign wherever he pleases. Because the Packers have already used all three available practice squad elevations, even if they were to re-sign him to the practice squad, he could not be activated on game day without being added to the 53-man roster first. My guess is that like running back Patrick Taylor, who went through a similar experience, Gaines will end up elsewhere.

The cornerback room for the Packers has quickly gone from a position of depth and a strength, to one with some question marks. It was just a few weeks ago that Joe Barry said Green Bay had a “champagne problem” at the position, when asked how the team would find playing time for Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, and Keisean Nixon.

Now, fast forward to today, and Alexander missed Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury. Douglas is in Buffalo and Stokes is on IR. Alongside of Carrington Valentine, who has taken on a larger role since Douglas was traded, Corey Ballentine started for Alexander in Pittsburgh. To his credit, although picked on at times, he fared well.

Kelly’s initial role on this Packers team is likely to come on special teams, where the team will need more depth if Ballentine is going to continue to see defensive snaps in Alexander’s absence. At this time, we do not know when he will return.