The Green Bay Packers signed TE Evan Baylis and WR Darrius Shepherd to the practice squad and released WR Keon Hatcher from the practice squad. General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced the transactions Thursday.
Baylis, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound first-year player, has spent time on the Packers' practice squad and active roster since the final week of the 2018 season. He has played in five games and has posted three tackles on special teams this season. Baylis was originally signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Oregon on May 12, 2017. As a rookie, he spent time on the Texans' practice squad and active roster, appearing in one game, as well as time on the practice squads of the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers. Baylis was released by the Panthers following the 2018 preseason. He will wear No. 88 for the Packers.
Shepherd, a 5-foot-11, 186-pound rookie out of North Dakota State was originally signed by Green Bay as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2019, after participating in the team's rookie orientation on a tryout basis. He appeared in six games for the Packers this season, mainly contributing on special teams. Shepherd played in 57 games for the Bison, recording 188 receptions for 2,841 yards (15.1 avg.) and 20 touchdowns. He also ran the ball 31 times for 219 yards (7.1 avg.) and a score and returned 44 punts for 578 yards (13.1 avg.) and a TD. As a senior, Shepherd was named to the STATS FCS All-America third team as a punt returner. He will wear No. 10 for the Packers.
