Packers: Three players already on roster who can make a difference
By Jesse Fry
2. Tyler Ervin
The Packers’ punt return unit was on pace to set a record prior to Tyler Ervin‘s arrival. And it wasn’t a good record. The team did not have positive yardage through the first 12 games of the 2019 season.
That all changed with Ervin’s first return. He showed great vision, hit the hole set up by his blockers and got the Packers out of the red.
But Ervin isn’t making this list because of his return capabilities alone. Coach Matt LaFleur used Ervin to some success on end-arounds and screen passes as well as on receiving routes out of the slot.
Ervin could be the type of weapon the Packers offense needs. When drafted in the fourth round out of San Jose State by the Houston Texans, Ervin was thought to be an all-purpose back in the mold of Darren Sproles and Reggie Bush.
Houston had big plans for him as a change-of-pace back for Lamar Miller, but fumbles and a torn patellar tendon derailed his career in Houston and he has been relegated to special teams since.
Ervin now looks to be all the way back from that injury and took on the offense quickly. Although he is not yet re-signed, it shouldn’t take much to get him back.
If he can build off of what he accomplished in the last four games and the postseason, Ervin could be a steal for the Green and Gold.