Packers Snap Counts: Tavon Austin quiet in Green Bay debut

The NFL’s Nov. 3 trade deadline came and went without the Green Bay Packers making a move to boost their wide receiver corps.

Instead, the Packers signed speedy receiver Tavon Austin on Dec. 1 to add a new weapon in the return game and in quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ explosive offense.

After learning the SparkNotes of the Green Bay playbook, Austin made his Packers debut Sunday during their 31-24 victory over Detroit.

Austin played four of Green Bay’s 67 offensive snaps (6%) against the Lions, catching two passes for eight yards. Both of Austin’s receptions occurred on the Packers’ opening drive, which ended in a 14-yard score by Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Rodgers connected with Austin for gains of three and five yards. His five-yard reception moved the chains.

Wide receivers Davante Adams (93%), Valdes-Scantling (70%), Allen Lazard (57%) and Equanimeous St. Brown (25%) all played more than Austin. St. Brown only had one catch, and Lazard tallied two.

Although he wasn’t targeted by Rodgers after the initial possession, it was likely a result of Austin’s unfamiliarity with the playbook, as head coach Matt LaFleur could easily script a few plays in the game plan to get him involved early.

Austin was also on the field to return all three of Detroit’s punts. One went out of bounds, another he called for a fair catch and Austin returned one punt for two yards in the third quarter.

There’s nowhere to go but up from here.

Other notes from Sunday’s snap counts:

— For the first time in his career, Rashan Gary has recorded a sack in back-to-back weeks. The former 12th overall pick compiled 1.5 against Philadelphia last week and took down Detroit’s Matthew Stafford on third-and-18 in the second quarter. Gary played 28% of the snaps, his second-lowest clip of the season.

— Aaron Jones played 70% of the snaps, his second-highest clip of the season, right behind 71% against New Orleans in Week 3. However, he recorded just 17 touches (15 carries, two catches), his third-lowest total of the season.

— Signed to the active roster from the practice squad, rookie tight end Dominique Dafney played 12 of Green Bay’s 67 snaps but was not targeted. Robert Tonyan led Packers tight ends by playing 61% of the snaps, while veteran Marcedes Lewis was close behind at 57%.

— Wide receiver Juwann Winfree played one snap Sunday. He has yet to see his first NFL target in five career games (three with Denver last season, two with Green Bay in 2020). Winfree played seven snaps against Jacksonville in Week 10.

WEEK 14: AT DETROIT (OFFENSE)