Urgency swept through the Green Bay Packers’ front office Sunday morning. Two key receivers missed practice, and roster depth suddenly looked shaky. The response was immediate: wide receiver Kisean Johnson, a familiar face with a history of production, was back in the fold.
Johnson Returns Amid Roster Crunch
This wasn’t a routine transaction. The Packers had just wrapped up their annual Family Night, but the celebration gave way to concern as both Matthew Golden and Jayden Reed sat out Sunday’s practice. The receiving corps looked thin.
Johnson, fresh off a weekend workout with the team, became the solution. Green Bay’s decision-makers wasted no time, signing him as soon as his tryout ended. General Manager Brian Gutekunst confirmed the move Sunday. Johnson will wear No. 86 and is eligible to practice immediately.
To make room on the 90-man preseason roster, the Packers waived safety Johnathan Baldwin II and cornerback Marlon Jones, both with waived/injured designations. If unclaimed, they’ll revert to injured reserve. Baldwin played just one game for Green Bay last season. Jones, an undrafted free agent, joined the team earlier this year.
Contract Status and Career Trajectory
Details of Johnson’s contract remain under wraps, but he joins on what’s expected to be a standard minimum-salary deal. At 6-foot, 216 pounds, Johnson is classified as a first-year player. He spent time on the Packers’ practice squad at the end of the 2025 season, though he never saw regular season action.
Short-term deals and limited opportunities have defined Johnson’s professional path. Undrafted out of Western Kentucky in 2025, he signed with the Cleveland Browns as a rookie free agent, only to be released after camp. He landed on Green Bay’s practice squad for the postseason but wasn’t kept for the offseason roster. Still, the Packers kept tabs on him, leading to his return after this weekend’s workout.
College Production and Honors
Johnson’s college résumé stands out. Four seasons at Alabama State brought third-team All-America and first-team All-SWAC honors. He transferred to Western Kentucky for his final year, where he caught 76 passes for 931 yards and seven touchdowns, earning second-team All-Conference USA recognition. His career totals: 178 receptions and 18 touchdowns.
A breakdown of Johnson’s college production:
| School | Year | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State | 2020-2023 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3rd-team All-America, 1st-team All-SWAC |
| Western Kentucky | 2024 | 76 | 931 | 7 | 2nd-team All-Conference USA |
| Career Total | 2020-2024 | 178 | N/A | 18 |
Green Bay’s approach under Gutekunst has consistently involved churning the practice squad and betting on players with proven college production. Johnson fits the mold: low-cost, high-upside, and ready to fill a void as injuries mount.
Financially, the risk is minimal. The contract is believed to be for the league minimum with no guarantees beyond camp. Johnson now faces a familiar challenge: earn his place on the roster, or move on once again in a career marked by resilience and adaptability.
