Colt Lyerla

TE Lyerla arrested in Oregon

September 8, 2014 By Bill Scott

Former Green Bay Packers tight end Colt Lyerla was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.

Colt Lyerla

According to the Oregonian, Lyerla was arrested at 2 a.m. in Washington County and then released at 8:37 am. Lyerla is suspected of being high on either illegal drugs or prescription medications.

The arrest comes less than two weeks after the Packers reached an injury settlement with Lyerla.

It’s not the first time Lyerla has run into trouble with the law. Shortly after leaving the Oregon football team last year, Lyerla was arrested for cocaine possession. He has a Sept. 17 court date on that charge.

The Packers had signed Lyerla as an undrafted free agent. One week into training camp, he suffered a torn MCL and PCL after trying to hurdle defensive back Jumal Rolle.

Packers release Lyerla

August 27, 2014 By Bill Scott

Colt Lyerla

The Green Bay Packers changed their minds on rookie TE Colt Lyerla. Instead of keeping him on season ending injured reserve, the Packers waived Lyerla, reaching an injury settlement that covers the first eight weeks of the regular season.

After eight weeks, Lyerla could sign with any other NFL team. He wouldn’t be allowed to resign with the Packers until after the 14th week of the season.

Lyerla tore his MCL and PCL trying to hurdle a Packers defender during the team’s Family Night practice on August 2.

Packers reach 75 player limit

The Packers reached the NFL’s 75-player limit yesterday by placing six players on injured reserve. Among the six is defensive lineman B.J. Raji who tore his right biceps in Friday’s 31-21 win over Oakland.

The Packers also placed Jared Abbrederis, Don Barclay, Andrew Tiller, Rajion Neal and Joe Thomas on I.R.

None of the six were designated as the team’s player to return from injured reserve. The Packers will have to make their final cuts, getting down to 53 players by 3pm Saturday.

Lyerla is out for weeks

August 5, 2014 By Bill Scott

Green Bay Packers rookie tight end Colt Lyerla will be out “weeks” with a knee injury. He suffered the injury while trying to hurdle a defender during Saturday’s Family Night practice.

The Packers expect to be without the rookie tight end for the bulk of training camp. It means the Packers group of tight ends trying to make the team, drops from seven to six.

Prior to joining the Packers as an undrafted free agent in May, Lyerla hadn’t played football since he left Oregon on Oct. 6, 2013.

Packers giving TE Lyerla a second chance

May 20, 2014 By Bill Scott

The Green Bay Packers signed talented but troubled rookie tight end Colt Lyerla on Monday, willing to give the former Oregon star a second

Packers GM Ted Thompson

chance.

Lyerla was arrested for cocaine possession last fall and quit the University of Oregon football team. He was suspended for a game in 2013 before eventually quitting. Lyerla had his driver’s license suspended five days later and was then arrested for allegedly snorting cocaine in his car on Oct. 23rd. After pleading guilty to possession of cocaine, he was sentenced to 24 months of probation, 10 days in jail and 40 hours of community service. There was also a twitter post referencing the Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting as a conspiracy.

Lyerla had an outstanding combine in Indianapolis, yet still went undrafted. He had the third-best 40-yard dash (4.61 seconds), the best vertical jump (39 inches) and tied for the best broad jump (10-8). His talent could have led to a first or second round selection in the draft, but no team was willing to take a gamble on a player with such major character concerns.

That didn’t mean teams weren’t interested after the draft. The Packers were one of the teams and Lyerla decided Green Bay was the right fit for him. [Read more…]