The Green Bay Packers signed former Oregon tight end Colt Lyerla Monday afternoon, according to the NFL transaction wire.
#Packers sign talented but troubled TE Colt Lyeria, according to NFL transaction wire.
— Mike Vandermause (@MikeVandermause) May 19, 2014
Weeks after withdrawing from Oregon on Oct. 6, Lyerla was arrested for cocaine possession. Despite a successful combine, where Lyerla ran a 4.56 40-yard dash, his draft stock plummeted. Lyerla didn’t hear his name called during last week’s NFL draft. After the first wave of undrafted free agents were signed, Lyerla was invited to a tryout with the Packers.
“He’s done things in his college career, and we’re fully aware of everything that every prospect has done on and off the field,” Packers head coach Mike McCarthy told Chase Goodbread of NFL.com. “And with that, we felt that he’s earned the opportunity as a tryout player to earn a spot to go to training.”
Three days later, the Packers officially added Lyerla to its 90-man roster.
I am honored to be a part of such a legendary organization. Proud to be a Green Bay Packer ! #GoPackGo
— (@LongLiveLyerla) May 19, 2014
In a little over two years with the Ducks, Lyerla had 34 receptions for 565 yards and 11 touchdowns.
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