GREEN BAY – With the first practice of training camp just days away, the Packers have added another veteran to their receiving league.
Green Bay have signed third-year pro Malik Turner, who has 17 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown in 21 games with the Seattle Seahawks over the past two seasons.
Turner participates in a deep position battle consisting of returning veterans Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jake Kumerow, Equanimeous St. Brown and Darrius Shepherd, and first-year players Reggie Begelton, Malik Taylor and Darrell Stewart.
Here are five things to know about Turner:
1. He went to the Packers’ minicamp on a tryout in 2018.
This is not the first time Green Bay has its eye on the 24-year-old receiver. Turner was one of two receivers who participated on a tryout basis in their three-day minicamp in 2018. Turner did not get a contract, but signed with the Seattle Seahawks at the start of a training camp one month later.
2. He worked his way up into the depth chart in Seattle.
Turner scored five passes for 91 yards and a touchdown during his first preseason with the Seahawks. While it was not enough to crack Seattle’s first 53 men list, Turner was offered a spot on the team’s training team and saw action in two games in the regular season later that season. The 6-foot-2, 202-pounder returned to make the Seahawks’ initial 53 last summer and stayed there. He had 15 catches for 245 yards in 15 games last season. Turner is also considered for his running blocks and special teams. He became a free agent in April when Seattle withdrew its exclusive rights bid.
3. His first NFL touchdown catch came from a crucial trick game.
Turner picked up his first NFL touchdown pass in November last year against the Philadelphia Eagles, from a trick game in which quarterback Russell Wilson threw the ball to run back Chris Carson, who later put him back. Turner, selling a block, then opened up for a critical 33-yard TD that proved to be a difference-maker in the Seahawks’ 17-9 victory. It’s the longest reception of Turner’s NFL career to date.
Turner is one of the all-time leading receivers in Illinois history.
Turner ended his career with both the ninth-most receiving yards (1,804) and the ninth-most receiving yards (143) in Illinois history. He played directly in 2014 as a true rookie and enjoyed his best season in 2016, when he led the Illini with 48 receptions for 712 yards and six touchdowns.
5. He is a native of Springfield, Ill., Who chose to remain in state.
Turner died at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield. He averaged 69 passes for 1,378 yards and 22 touchdowns during a perfect 14-0 season in which the program won the IHSA Class 5A state championship. He was reported as a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals and Scout.
