Tavon Austin

Austin caught one pass for seven yards and lost a fumble while returning a punt in Sunday's victory over the Bears.

Analysis: Austin's most notable impact on Sunday's game was a negative play, as his first-quarter fumble gave the Bears the ball on the Packers' 20-yard line. Despite the mishap, Austin figures to continue serving as both the Packers' punt returner and a gadget player on offense unless Tyler Ervin (foot) returns to action.

Austin caught two passes for five yards in Sunday's victory over the Titans.

Analysis: Austin did not do much of note in Sunday's contest, but he did receive 17 snaps after playing just four snaps in each of his first two appearances with the Packers. Austin does not figure to play much more than he did Sunday, but he should continue getting a few snaps per week to give opposing defenses one more thing to think about.

Austin was not targeted in Saturday's victory over the Panthers.

Analysis: Austin caught a couple passes in his Packers debut in Week 14, but he did not touch the ball on offense and was limited to punt-return duties in Saturday's contest. It's unlikely Austin's role will change much in Week 16, as the Packers will presumably rely on their longer-tenured players as they attempt to lock up the top seed in the NFC.

Austin caught both of his targets and finished with eight receiving yards in Sunday's victory over the Lions. He also returned one punt for two yards.

Analysis: Austin saw his first action since signing with Green Bay in late November, and although he was on the field for just four of the 67 plays the Packers' offense ran, he was the primary option on a couple of them. The Packers figure to continue exploring ways to get Austin the ball, but don't expect a major increase in snaps or touches in the team's Week 15 matchup with the Panthers.

Austin is officially active for Sunday's game at Detroit.

Analysis: The 30-year-old was a healthy scratch for his first game with the team last week, but he'll be suiting up Sunday with Tyler Ervin (ribs) on injured reserve. Austin is expected to take over return duties and could also have a minor role in the offense.

Austin (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Austin signed with Green Bay this week, but he won't be on the field after his first week of practice. Tyler Ervin (ribs) is active and will handle return duties this week after missing the past two games.

Austin signed a contract with the Packers on Monday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: The 2013 first-round pick had a workout with the Packers last week, and the team apparently liked how he looked. Austin figures to stabilize the return game with Tyler Ervin (ribs) missing the past two games, but he could also factor in as a gadget player on offense under coach Matt LaFleur, with whom he has previous experience.

Austin participated in a tryout with Green Bay on Thursday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: The 2013 No. 8 overall draft choice suited up for 14 games as a member of the Cowboys last season, but this year has thus far been a wash, with no game appearances to Austin's name. He was placed on IR with a knee injury Sept. 3 and subsequently released by the 49ers with an injury settlement in late October, clearing the way for the Packers to examine him as a possible option at returner.

Austin (knee) was released off the 49ers' injured reserve after reaching an injury settlement.

Analysis: The 30-year-old landed on injured reserve with the knee issue in early September and wasn't eligible to play this season unless reaching the injury settlement. It's unclear if Austin is fully recovered from the injury, but once he his he'll be eligible to play with any team willing to sign him.

Austin (knee) has officially been placed on IR.

Analysis: Austin thus joins fellow receivers Jalen Hurd and J.J. Nelson on the 49ers' IR list. On the plus side, the team welcomed Richie James back from the NFI list earlier Thursday.

The 49ers plan to place Austin (knee) on IR, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Analysis: The move should officially hit the transaction wire either later Thursday, or as the team continues to make roster moves in advance of cut-down weekend. With that, the depth of the 49ers' pass-catching corps takes another hit and it wouldn't surprise us to see the team look into other options shortly, as league-wide roster trimming occurs.

Austin signed a contract with the 49ers on Saturday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Analysis: Looking to improve the team's wide receiver depth with Deebo Samuel slated to miss all of training camp with a foot injury, the Niners worked out both Tavon Austin and J.J. Nelson earlier in the week, adding two potentially terrifying speed options to the back-end of the roster. That speed could be uniquely utilized in sub packages as part of Kyle Shanahan's offensive scheme, which often utilizes wide receiver motion on jet sweeps and designated screens. With Travis Benjamin, who likely was slated to occupy the same type of role for the Niners, opting out of the season, it's entirely possible one, or both, of the Austin/Nelson combo makes the team, even if it's just as a return specialist.

The 49ers plan to work Austin out in the hope of signing him, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: The 30-year-old has put up modest stats over the past few seasons, but he does have the speed to make plays when he gets the ball in his hands. With Deebo Samuel dealing with a foot injury, the 49ers could use some wide receiver depth and working with an offensive-minded coach like Kyle Shanahan could be a nice fit for a player with Austin's skill set.

Austin wrapped up the 2019 season with 13 catches on 24 targets for 177 receiving yards and a touchdown, adding 47 rushing yards and another score on six carries.

Analysis: While the veteran speedster saw nearly three times as many snaps on offense under new OC Kellen Moore than he did the season before, Austin did little with the extra opportunities, winding up with nearly identical production to 2018, when he totaled 195 scrimmage yards and two TDs. He's also no longer much of a threat in the return game -- he managed only 84 yards on punt returns this year, and his last return for a touchdown came in 2015 with the Rams. An unrestricted free agent, Austin could be brought back as wideout depth if Amari Cooper and Randall Cobb wind up signing elsewhere, but he's unlikely to be a major factor in whichever offense he finds himself in next season.

Austin caught one of two targets for five yards during Sunday's loss to the Eagles.

Analysis: Austin played only 16 offensive snaps, his lowest snap total since Week 12. The 29-year-old has 12 receptions for 176 yards and one touchdown this season.

Austin caught his only target for a 59-yard touchdown in Sunday's 44-21 win over the Rams.

Analysis: He also gained three yards on two carries. The Cowboys leaned heavily on their running game, as Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard each ran for over 100 yards and combined for three TDs, so there wasn't a whole lot of production left over for the team's wide receivers. Austin made his one opportunity in the passing game count, however -- he found himself wide open after two Los Angeles defenders collided, and Dak Prescott got him the ball for an easy score. It was Austin's first receiving TD of the year, adding to a rushing touchdown he scored in Week 7 against next Sunday's opponents, the Eagles.

Austin was unable to bring in either of this targets during Thursday's 31-24 loss to Chicago.

Analysis: Austin was unable to build on his Week 13 two-catch performance and now has not touched the ball on offense in four of Dallas' six games since the bye. The Cowboys are still in the thick of it in a weak NFC East, but the offense hasn't shown the life it had earlier in the season against a murder's row of pass defenses over the past three weeks, losses to New England, Buffalo, and Chicago. The challenges, and potential struggles, continue Sunday as Austin and the Cowboys take on the league's 10th-ranked pass defense in the Rams.

Austin caught two of his five targets for 22 yards during Thursday's 26-15 loss to Buffalo.

Analysis: Austin's receptions were his first since a five-catch performance in Week 6. He had two rushes for 27 yards and a touchdown since then. Austin has given way to Dallas' bevy of talented young receivers and even they have struggled as Dallas has walked into the pass-defense equivalent of a buzz saw. Austin, with his limited usage rate, would be an incredibly risky play no matter the opponent. As luck would have it, that opponent offers yet another difficult matchup Thursday as Dallas takes on Chicago's ninth-rated pass defense.

Austin did not bring in his only target of Sunday's 13-9 loss to New England.

Analysis: Austin has now been held catchless in five consecutive games and has just two rushes for 27 yards during that span. The 2013 first-round pick has been held to single-digit yardage or worse in six of nine games this season and has just one game with more than two touches. He might be good for an end-around or gadget play here and there, but that will be tough to pull off Thursday against Buffalo's third-ranked defense.

Austin was unable to haul in his only target of Sunday's 35-27 win over the Lions.

Analysis: Austin's 30 offensive snaps were his second most this season, but it didn't stop him from being held catchless for the fourth consecutive game. Austin offers some gadgetry and has a rushing touchdown on the season, but as a low-volume receiver with just two red-zone touches this season he's a huge risk. That is especially so Sunday against New England's second-ranked pass defense.

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