A speedy veteran with experience in a gadget-type role on offense and as a punt and kickoff returner will get a chance to prove he’s worth a roster spot with the Green Bay Packers.
According to the league’s transaction wire, the Packers will workout receiver Tavon Austin, a first-round pick in 2013 who has 411 career touches on offense and over 200 combined punt and kick returns.
Austin is set to have the workout at some point this week, according to Tom Silverstein of PackersNews.com.
Austin, now 29, most recently spent time with the San Francisco 49ers in 2020. He was released from injured reserve on Oct. 27.
Previously, Austin played in 75 games over five seasons with the Rams and 21 games over two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.
The Packers could see Austin as a player capable of providing a spark on special teams and offense, potentially in a role similar to the one currently occupied by Tyler Ervin.
Austin has 215 career receptions for 2,006 yards and 15 touchdowns, 196 rushing attempts for 1,340 yards and 10 touchdowns, 185 punt returns 1,466 yards and three touchdowns, and 25 kickoff returns for 451 yards.
Standing just 5-8, Austin ran the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds coming out of West Virginia in 2013.
With the Rams in 2017, Austin was the gadget player for coach Sean McVay and offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur, who often used him as the jet sweep option within the pre-snap motion looks of the offense. Austin rushed 59 times for 270 yards and a touchdown.
The Packers might want to update their information on Austin in case Ervin, who has dealt with several injuries already this season, suffers another issue over the final six weeks. Or Austin could be a potential replacement for Darrius Shepherd, who fumbled away a kickoff last week in Indianapolis.
The workout might also be a chance to see where Austin is at physically after his latest injury.
The Packers will also work out defensive lineman Brian Price, who the team originally signed as an undrafted free agent in 2016.
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