Tavon Austin is back in the league. The Packers will be signing the veteran wide receiver, a source told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (Twitter link).
Austin signed with the 49ers back in August, but was placed on injured reserve before the season started. He was released from IR last month, and has been a free agent ever since. Green Bay isn’t super deep at wideout beyond Davante Adams, so this is a flyer that can’t really hurt. That being said, Austin has been used more as a gadget player and returner than a true receiver in recent years.
The eighth overall pick of the 2013 draft, Austin spent his first five seasons with the Rams. Current Packers coach Matt LaFleur was his offensive coordinator with the Rams for the 2017 season, so there’s some familiarity here. He never came close to living up to his draft status, but Austin had some electric moments with the Rams due to his speed.
He’s got big play ability, although at 30 now he’s probably not quite as explosive as he used to be. Austin spent the past two seasons with Dallas, and caught 13 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown last year. He also returned punts for the Cowboys and Rams, and it’s possible he’ll reprise that role in Green Bay. We don’t know the terms yet, although it’s fairly safe to assume he didn’t get any significant money.
“Green Bay isn’t super deep at wideout” is a hell of an understatement. Not sure anyone outside of Adam’s would make half the rosters in the NFL. This includes TE’s.
Coming from what looks like a Bears fan. We saw how deep their WR corps was last night.
Nope, GB fan. Lived in Chicago during 2010/11 season which was fun.
MVS leads the NFL in yards per catch smart guy. Tony an has the second most TD’S of tight ends. Our fifth string receiver lit up the Bears yesterday made them look like sacks of crap. Yeah ok
MVS really? The guy averages about two catches a game.
I’m a huge Packer fan but he’s probably not the far off except when he brings in tight ends. Tonyan would start at TE for over half the teams. MVS drops too many but he is a deep threat. Lazard is a big target with good hands but a step slow. St. Brown hasn’t played much due to injuries so it’s too early to tell about him. Shepherd and Taylor I think are the other two and they probably won’t make the team next year. So yes we aren’t deep at wideout but our #1 is a stud and I think somehow we’re undefeated when Adams misses games. If you have a great quarterback you can get by with so so wideouts if your running backs can catch and you have a good TE. Patriots did it for years.
I think Robert Tonyan is going to be a fixture in GB for a bit. Outside of Tonyan and Adams the group is weak.
Austin is not what he used to be. I wouldn’t be shocked if he is not the new returner for the rest of the year.
As a former Rams fan living in St.Louis,he always showed flashes here,but never lived up to being a top 10 draft pick.Wish him well at the frozen tundra.
Why didn’t the Packers make a move at the trade deadline. Possibly for someone like Golden Tate from the Giants.