The Green Bay Packers Tuesday re-signed tight end David Martin to a restricted free-agent tender and waived punter Travis Hale, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced.
After signing Martin, the Packers have two remaining restricted free agents (RFA): cornerback/safety Bhawoh Jue and linebacker Torrance Marshall, neither of whom received offers from other teams during the NFL's signing period that ended Friday. RFA safety Curtis Fuller re-signed with the team Feb. 25 and defensive tackle Rod Walker, the team's fifth RFA, signed with Carolina after the Packers chose not to extend him a qualifying offer.
Martin last season contributed as a backup tight end, primarily playing behind Pro Bowlers Bubba Franks and Wesley Walls, and as a special-teams performer. He played in all 16 games for the first time as a pro, making three starts as a second tight end (Sept. 21 at Arizona, Nov. 23 vs. San Francisco and Nov. 27 at Detroit). He also saw action in both playoff contests, including a start in the Wild Card win over Seattle (Jan. 4) when Green Bay opened the game with three tight ends.
The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Martin last season matched his career high with 13 receptions (for 79 yards and two touchdowns). He also recorded seven tackles, including a forced fumble, while covering kicks and finished second on the Packers in special teams blocks with 59.
Martin, 25, originally joined the Packers as their sixth-round choice (198th overall) in the 2001 draft. The team's 2001 offensive rookie of the year, he played wide receiver in college at Tennessee.
Hale originally signed as a free agent March 22.
