PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Colt Lyerla, the one-time star tight end for the Oregon Ducks who had a brief, injury-filled NFL career, is once again facing drug charges in Washington County.
Lyerla, 26, was arrested December 6 for heroin possession. At the time of his arrest, Lyerla was a convicted felon for escaping. This new charge is also a felony.
In June 2017, Lyerla was sentenced to an additional 30 days in jail after escaping from custody the previous month and nearly dying from a drug overdose.
At that time, a Washington County judge told Lyerla to get clean and sober. The judge said he wants Lyerla to meet with him for progress updates, establish goals and move beyond his persona as a former college star.
Lyerla said he accepted the challenge.
In April 2017 he was sentenced to 6 months in jail after pleading guilty to forgery. He was lodged at a minimum-security work release center. Police found Lyerla a day after the escape, overdosing on heroin at a Hillsboro home.
Once considered an NFL prospect, Lyerla left the Ducks in 2013 after he was suspended for violating team rules.
He was undrafted, then signed with the Green Bay Packers in 2014. But he injured his right knee in a pre-season practice and then was waived by the Packers.
