Packers: Tavon Austin set for role with Tyler Ervin headed for IR

With Tyler Ervin headed for IR, the Packers will turn to Tavon Austin.

It’s exciting to think what Tavon Austin can add on special teams for the Green Bay Packers. Also as a gadget player on offense.

We’ll likely see Austin in action sooner rather than later.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, returner Tyler Ervin is “likely headed to IR”. Ervin is dealing with a foot injury, which Pelissero adds is expected to keep him out for at least a month.

Enter Tavon Austin.

Austin can be exactly what the Packers need on special teams. He has plenty of experience returning punts and kickoffs and he has three career return touchdowns to his name.

In his career, Austin has returned 185 punts and 25 kickoffs. He can step right in and help the special teams improve.

In the past seven seasons, Austin has also contributed on offense with 2,006 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns along with 1,340 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

A former first-round pick, it’ll be interesting to see Matt LaFleur’s plan for Austin on offense. We’ve seen him use Ervin creatively since he joined the Packers last December and the same should be expected of Austin.

LaFleur has also worked with Austin in the past while he was offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in 2017. So he understands Austin’s game and will know how he plans to use him on offense.

Austin also played for the Dallas Cowboys between 2018 and ’19.

Austin is an exciting addition for the Packers. While he might not be the number two wide receiver the team has looked for, he can certainly contribute in the backfield and be used creatively. Just as importantly, he can help a return game now without Ervin.

Will we see Austin return a punt for a touchdown in his Packers debut against the Detroit Lions on Sunday?