Former Mountaineer Tavon Austin Signed to Jaguars’ 90-Man Roster

Former West Virginia running back Tavon Austin is getting another chance in the NFL this season.

NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo reported Friday afternoon that Austin is signing a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, although the details of his deal are not yet known.

#Jaguars are signing WR/KR Tavon Austin, source says. Was with the #Packers last year.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 6, 2021

Originally the eighth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams, Austin has never been able to replicate the explosive success he found with the Mountaineers. However, his kick return prowess has allowed him to make an impact on multiple NFL teams.

After five seasons with the Rams, recording 194 catches for 1,689 yards and 12 touchdowns and 1,238 rushing yards and nine more touchdowns, Austin was traded to Dallas and spent two seasons with the Cowboys before signing with the Green Bay Packers last season. 

While Austin has made a minimal impact on NFL rosters in the past handful of seasons, recording just 20 receiving yards and 14 return yards in four games with the Packers last season, he’s racked up 1,480 punt return yards and three touchdowns during his eight-year career.

Austin originally started the 2020 season with the San Francisco 49ers but didn’t play in a game before being released off the injury list in October. He will get another opportunity to make an NFL roster this summer, attempting to become a weapon for new Jags’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence.