DENVER – Kristian Welch has played enough football to know that there are limits to a player’s control when trying to make the NFL’s 53-man roster.
The Packers’ fifth-year linebacker deserves credit for continually finding ways to stand out for the right reasons.
Welch was responsible for one of the highlights of an otherwise forgettable 27-2 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday night, intercepting a pass from Jarrett Stidham that Green Bay defensive lineman James Ester batted into the air at the line of scrimmage.
It was the second week in a row that Welch gave the Packers defense a possession after halftime. A week earlier, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound linebacker recovered a fumble en route to a 23-10 win over Cleveland.
Welch used every inch of his vertical, throwing the ball high and keeping it after it touched the ground.
“I just knew the offense was probably going to follow up,” Welch said. “It was pretty high for a pick. I just tried to aim high and make the play. I just take it one play at a time and try to take advantage and win the play. That’s really my mindset.”
Welch is a native of Iola, Wisconsin. He played on the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad last year before becoming a regular on special teams. Since re-signing in March, the veteran linebacker has played on a strong linebacker roster all offseason.
Welch made the most of his minutes on Sunday, recording six tackles (one for a loss) with the INT while playing most of the game as Green Bay did not field veterans Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie or rookie second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper, who was out with a hip injury.
Welch’s pick appeared to be a turning point for the Packers defense, which allowed just 90 yards in the second half. The Broncos’ 10 second-half points came on a fumble recovery and a turnover on downs at the Green Bay 34-yard line.
Welch regretted the final result and the missed opportunities that came with it, but knows that big plays help keep him in the squad when the games really matter, and in that regard, Sunday was a step in the right direction.
“At this point in training camp, there’s only so much you can control,” Welch said. “I’ve just tried to take full advantage of every play that I get. I’ve just got to try to take advantage of the ones that come to mind and not try too hard and do my job on every single play. That’s kind of my mindset. I just try to take advantage of the ones that come to mind.”
