GREEN BAY – With the first practice of training camp just days away, the Packers have added another veteran to their receiving competition.
Green Bay signed third-year professional Malik Turner, who has caught 17 passes for 245 yards and one touchdown in 21 games with the Seattle Seahawks over the past two seasons.
Turner joins a deep positional battle comprised of returning veterans Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jake Kumerow, Equanimeous St. Brown and Darrius Shepherd, and freshmen Reggie Begelton, Malik Taylor and Darrell Stewart.
Here are five things to know about Turner:
1. He attended the Packers minicamp for a test in 2018.
This isn’t the first time Green Bay has watched the 24-year-old wide receiver. Turner was one of two receivers who tried out their three-day minicamp in 2018. Turner did not receive a contract but signed with the Seattle Seahawks at the start of one-month training camp. later.
2. He rose through the ranks of the depth map in Seattle.
Turner caught five passes for 91 yards and a touchdown in his first preseason with the Seahawks. While that wasn’t enough to break through Seattle’s initial roster of 53, Turner was offered a spot on the team’s practice squad and appeared in two regular season games later this season. . The 6-foot-2, 202-pounder returned to make the Seahawks’ top 53 last summer and stayed there. He had 15 catches for 245 yards in 15 games last season. Turner is also regarded for his insight into track blocking and special teams. He became a free agent in April when Seattle canceled his offer of exclusive rights.
Turner caught his first NFL touchdown pass last November against the Philadelphia Eagles, after a round game in which quarterback Russell Wilson threw the ball to running back Chris Carson who then called him back. Turner, selling a block, then opened up for a critical 33-yard TD that proved to be a difference factor in the Seahawks’ 17-9 road win. It is the longest reception in Turner’s NFL career to date.
4. Turner is one of the major receivers in Illinois history.
Turner ended his career with the ninth-most receiving yards (1,804) and the ninth-most receiving (143) in Illinois history. He played like a true freshman right away in 2014 and had 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, Illinois who chose to stay in the state.
Turner performed at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield. He caught 69 passes for 1,378 yards and 22 touchdowns in a perfect 14-0 season in which the program won the IHSA Class 5A State Championship. He has been listed as a three star rookie by ESPN.com, Rivals, and Scout.
