The roster move that will clear the way for newcomer Tyler Ervin was announced by the Green Bay Packers on Monday.
The team officially released kick and punt returner Tremon Smith.
Smith was the primary returner for the Packers in six games this season. He returned 13 kickoffs for 303 yards and four punts for zero yards. He also fumbled at the end of a punt return on Sunday against the New York Giants.
The Packers originally claimed Smith off of waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 17. He was waived on Oct. 14, signed back to the practice squad on Oct. 16 and promoted back to the active roster on Oct. 29.
Ervin, a fourth-round pick of the Houston Texans in 2016, has over 1,200 total kick and punt return yards in his four-year NFL career. He will be expected to replace Smith on kick and punt returns if he passes his physical and is officially added to the 53-man roster, a move that could come as early as Tuesday.
