The Green Bay Packers signed WR Tavon Austin and released WR Darrius Shepherd. The transactions were announced Tuesday by General Manager Brian Gutekunst.
(TAY-von) Austin (5-8, 180) was originally selected in the first round (No. 8 overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft out of West Virginia University by the St. Louis Rams. He has spent time in his career with the Rams (2013-17), Dallas Cowboys (2018-19) and San Francisco 49ers (2020), appearing in 96 regular-season games with 50 starts. Austin has 215 receptions for 2,006 yards (9.3 avg.) with 15 touchdowns and 1,340 rushing yards on 196 carries (6.8 avg.) with 10 TDs. As a returner, he registered 1,498 yards on 185 punt returns (8.1 avg.) with three TDs and 451 yards on 25 kickoff returns (18.0 avg.). Dating back to 2013, Austin is tied for No. 4 in the NFL in punt return TDs (three), and was one of only two players in the NFL to post a punt return TD each season from 2013-15 (Steelers WR Antonio Brown). He has also appeared in three postseason contests with two starts. Austin will wear No. 16 for the Packers.
