GREEN BAY – For weeks, the Packers have been searching for someone to provide a spark for a punt return unit that entered Sunday's game against Washington with minus-8 yards through the first 12 games of the season.

Enter Tyler Ervin.

Claimed off waivers from Jacksonville on Tuesday, Ervin made a positive first impression on Green Bay's special teams with his four punt returns for 51 yards. His production factored heavily into the Packers winning the field-position battle with Washington.

His four returns of 10, 12, 18 and 11 yards gave Green Bay the ball at the 50, Washington 48, Green Bay 43 and Washington 49. Both of the Packers' touchdowns on Sunday came on series after Ervin returns.

"Swervin' Ervin. That's my guy. Swervin' Ervin," said running back Aaron Jones, who shares a position room with Ervin. "It's definitely game-changing. It flips the field. We started a lot of drives on the plus side or midfield or 40. Anytime you do that, you get a smile. That's a weapon that you can use. I'm glad we have him here. Look forward to seeing him return."

To this point, the Packers had primarily used rookie receiver Darrius Shepherd and second-year cornerback Tremon Smith to navigate the season. With Ervin, the Packers got a veteran who had returned 61 punts and 34 kickoffs in three-plus NFL seasons.

While he didn't get a chance to return a kickoff Sunday, Ervin displayed the experience and peripheral vision against Washington the Packers were hoping he would. What's more, Green Bay's jammers and blockers had their best performance of the season to give Ervin time to work.

Ervin fielded the ball naturally, and with Tress Way mainly punting to the middle of the field, Ervin effectively utilized space before working north and south. On his 18-yard return at the end of the first quarter, Ervin saw through traffic to push the ball to Washington's 43.