The Green Bay Packers became the second NFL team this offseason to sign a former Division III basketball player with no college football experience as they signed UW-La Crosse power forward Joe Werner to a free agent contract.

Werner, a D3hoops.com All-American this past season, will play tight end for Green Bay. The Packers list him as both 6-7, 255 and 6-6, 252. Werner finished his career fourth on UW-La Crosse's scoring list with 1,404 points and second with 829 career rebounds.

The Minnesota Vikings previously signed Ramapo basketball player and champion high jumper Todd Lowber to a free agent contract. Lowber remains in the Vikings' training camp. The Packers placed punter David Lonie on injured reserve to make room.

If both make an NFL roster, it will give the NFL more Division III basketball players than the NBA currently has. Two-time D3hoops.com All-American Devean George, from Augsburg, recently re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks.