The Green Bay Packers came into Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins with -8 punt return yards, with a long return of only three yards and the NFL record for fewest punt return yards in a season looming over the entire group.
Those worries evaporated during a mild December day at Lambeau Field.
Newcomer Tyler Ervin, who was claimed off of waivers on Tuesday and immediately inserted as the team’s new primary returner, got the Packers out of the hole and set a new season long on his first return on Sunday against the Redskins – and he wasn’t done there.
Ervin returned four punts for 51 yards, bringing the Packers to 43 total punt return yards on the season – 16 more than the NFL record of 27 – and helping spark a fast start on offense.
In fact, three out of Ervin’s four returns set the Packers up at midfield or in Washington’s territory. The fourth put the Packers at their own 43-yard line. The offense scored touchdowns after two of the returns in the first quarter, creating an early 14-0 advantage.
Ervin’s returns covered 10 yards, 12 yards, 18 yards and 11 yards, in order.
The Packers needed the boost. Trevor Davis, Darrius Shepherd and Tremon Smith all took their turns returning punts. The trio returned nine punts but produced just two returns gaining a yard or more. Shepherd lost a fumble. Smith fumbled at the end of a 3-yard return last Sunday in New York.
Ervin confidently made catches on booming punts from Tress Way and wasted no time getting up field to gain positive yardage. And credit special teams coach Shawn Mennenga and all the blockers on the field – Ervin was provided the space necessary to catch the football and operate with the ball in his hands. For much of the season, the blocking on returns just hasn’t been good enough. On Sunday, it was.
The Packers took a chance on Ervin, a fourth-round pick of the Texans in 2016, when the Jaguars released him late last week. He brought past experience returning punts and kicks to the table, including over 1,200 total return yards in the NFL and five return touchdowns while in college at San Jose State.
It’s only one game, but Ervin has already revived a punt-return team that was barrelling towards an NFL record through the first 12 games of 2019. The record is now well in the rear-view mirror.