Tavon’s Austin debut with the Green Bay Packers will have to wait at least a week.
Matt LaFleur and the Packers decided to make Austin inactive for Sunday’s visit from the Philadelphia Eagles.
Austin, who hasn’t played a single down during the 2020 season, officially signed with the Packers on Wednesday.
There are many potential reasons for delaying Austin’s debut:
– The Packers are healthy. The team only gave four players an injury designation on Friday’s final injury report, and one was put on injured reserve (Corey Linsley). The three others (Za’Darius Smith, Tyler Ervin and Krys Barnes) are all active. The Packers have five healthy scratches on the inactive list Sunday, including Austin.
– Ervin is returning from a rib injury. It’s possible Ervin and Austin will have similar roles once both are healthy. Having Ervin available on Sunday made it much easier to ease Austin into the action. He’ll likely return punts and kicks and be the go-to jet motion option on offense.
– Austin has been on the roster for less than a week and is likely still learning what he needs to know to contribute, both on offense and special teams. Remember, he spent the summer with the San Francisco 49ers but was eventually released with an injury settlement. He hasn’t been on the field in a game setting since last December. Without a roster need, the Packers can be patient with Austin and avoid rushing him into action before he’s comfortable.
The team did show off Austin’s new No. 16 Packers jersey on Sunday:
.@Tayaustin01 in green & gold.#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/fEM1smzsG9
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 6, 2020
The Packers go on the road to play the Detroit Lions next Sunday, meaning Ford Field could be the setting for Austin’s debut.
