Veteran Receiver Coutee Works Out for Packers

After a record-setting debut with the Texans in 2018, Keke Coutee made most of his impact on special teams with the Colts in 2022.

Author:
Bill Huber
Updated:
May 16, 2023 12:47 PM EDT
Original:
May 16, 2023

In this story:

Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Free agent receiver Keke Coutee is working out for the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday, a source said in confirming a report by NFL Network.

A fourth-round pick out of Texas Tech by the Houston Texans in 2018, Coutee caught 28 passes in six seasons as a rookie, 22 passes in nine games in 2019 and 33 passes in eight games in 2020. In his NFL debut, he caught 11 passes – most in NFL history.

"Just to be healthy and be the best teammate I can be this year and just producing where I can," Coutee said entering the 2020 season. "Just being able to make plays when I'm called upon when the ball is coming my way, that's the best thing I can do to make plays."

However, after those injury-plagued seasons, he was released at the end of camp in 2021 – even after the Texans traded Randall Cobb to the Packers.

“There’s a myriad of things that always go into the decision-making process,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said at the time. “Keke worked hard, and he is a good kid. He made some plays for the organization. But in the end, we made the decision to release him off the roster, and that’s where we are.”

Coutee, 26, played in 10 games for the Indianapolis Colts the past two seasons with two receptions.

In 2022, he caught one pass and averaged 8.9 yards on 17 punt returns. He fumbled his only catch and muffed three punts.

At the 2018 Scouting Combine, Coutee measured 5-foot-9 3/4 and 181 pounds. He ran his 40 in 4.43 seconds.

The Packers could have an opening at punt returner. Keisean Nixon earned All-Pro honors last year but mostly for his work on kickoffs. If Nixon is going to be the starting defender in the slot, the Packers might want a different option with fresher legs as the punt returner. Second-round receiver Jayden Reed will be in the punt-return competition, as well.

The Packers have 10 receivers under contract, including 2022 draft picks Reed, Dontayvion Wicks and Grant DuBose and 2022 undrafted free agents Malik Heath and Duece Watts.

All of those players are rookies or in their second season.