Keith

Kirkwood

Bateman was ruled out Saturday because of illness. Kirkwood was just elevated from the practice squad, but won’t play in the winner-take-all game. Rush is the emergency third quarterback.

Kirkwood will essentially take the roster spot of Rashod Bateman, with Bateman ruled out due to illness. The 32-year-old won’t likely do much outside of special teams.

Gaskin was brought in as a camp body by the Ravens, who have their running back room set. They now release him, along with CB Thomas Graham Jr., RB D’Ernest Johnson, WR Keith Kirkwood, WR Anthony Miller, and DL Brent Urban. They also waived WR Jahmal Banks, S Beau Brade, WR Malik Cunningham, G Darrian Dalcourt, OL Garrett Bellinger, OLB Malik Hamm, S Desmond Igbinosun, S Keondre Jackson, DL Jayson Jones, QB Devin Leary, T Gerad Lichtenhan, ILB Chandler Martin, TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, DL Adedayo Odeleye, DL C.J. Okoye, G Jared Penning, DL C.J. Ravenell, CB Marquise Robinson, OLB Kaimon Rucker, C Nick Samac, FB Lucas Scott, and TE Scotty Washington.

Kirkwood was released by the Saints before the start of the 2023 season. He then joined the Ravens practice squad but never saw any action with the team. The age-30 wideout will be fighting for a roster spot during the summer.

Kirkwood has spent the majority of his career with the Saints after joining them as a UDFA out of Temple in 2018. The veteran receiver participated in the Ravens’ minicamp on a tryout basis earlier this month and will now have a chance to stick on the 53-man roster in training camp. Kirkwood has caught 24 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns in his career and will need to flash on special teams if he hopes to make the team.

Kirkwood appeared in five games (one start) last season, bouncing from the practice squad and active roster. The 28-year-old will serve as offseason depth for the Saints.

The journeyman wideout had caught two balls in two games. Even with the Saints majorly shorthanded at receiver, Kirkwood could not carve out a bigger role. A recent ankle issue undoubtedly did not help his 53-man roster odds.

Kirkwood was injured in the Week 6 loss to the Bengals. The Saints are severely banged up at wideout and on a short week with the Cardinals on deck Thursday night.

Other notable cuts from the Panthers include defensive end Darryl Johnson and wide receiver Keith Kirkwood. Burris appeared in 10 games for Carolina last year, eight of which were starts. In 2020, Burris played on 92 percent of the Panthers’ defensive snaps during his 13 active games. His experience and ability to play special teams should land him a gig once rosters are settled.

Kirkwood suffered a horrifying training camp injury on a cheap shot from JT Ibe, who was given the boot after the hit. He caught three of seven targets in three games last season. Kirkwood profiles as a special teams contributor if he makes the 53-player roster.