Justin Watson Injury News & Updates

Houston executive vice president and general manager Nick Caserio said Tuesday that he expects Watson (calf/Achilles) to return later this season, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Watson sustained the injury in Week 2 and landed on the injured reserve, which requires him to miss at least four games. Judging from Caserio's comments, Wilson will likely miss more time than the minimum. While responding to questions about the team's injured players, the GM put Watson in a bucket of players whose timeline is less definitive than others. Watson served as a primary backup through the first two weeks, when Christian Kirk was unavailable due to a hamstring injury. When Watson is healthy, he's unlikely to have much of a role.

Watson (calf/Achilles) was placedon IR by the Texans on Wednesday.

Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Watson is dealing with a calf/Achilles injury, but given that the wideout's Achilles isn't torn, it possible that he could be designated to return from IR at some point down the road. Either way, Watson will miss at least four games, but on the plus side from the perspective of the Texans, fellow WRs Christian Kirk (hamstring) and Braxton Berrios (hamstring) are expected to return to action in Week 3.

Watson caught one of two targets for three yards in Monday's 20-19 loss to Tampa Bay in Week 2.

Watson has been targeted four times through two games, the same as Jayden Higgins and more than Jaylin Noel, rookies drafted in the second and third rounds, respectively, during the offseason. It's hard to get a read on Houston's offense, which has stumbled through two games, and it appears C.J. Stroud is in a slump that dates back to Week 5 of 2024. That's the last time the quarterback threw for more than 300 yards. Watson's fringy relevance is diminished by Stroud's play and should end once Christian Kirk (hamstring) is able to play.

Watson caught both of his targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 14-9 loss to the Rams.

Watson surprisingly had the third most offensive snaps (35) among the wideouts. Part of that is due to hamstring injuries to Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios, but that Wilson was on the field more than either of the two rookie wideouts, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, is noteworthy. Houston's offense, particularly the passing game, stumbled through a lethargic performance and may not be indicative of target- and snap-distributions going forward.

Watson is in line to sign with the Texans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Watson is coming off a 2024 regular season in which he caught 22 passes (on 32 targets) for 289 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games with the Chiefs. The looming addition of the 28-year-old is slated to boost a Houston wideout corps that is currently led by Nico Collins along with trade acquisition Christian Kirk, while Stefon Diggs (knee) is a pending free agent and Tank Dell (knee) is a candidate to miss much, if not all, of the 2025 season.

Watson claimed 22 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns on 32 targetsover 17 games during the 2024 regular season.

While Watson hasn't tallied more than 27 catches in a season, he's still found regular playing time during his three campaigns with the Chiefs, likely due to his abilities as a blocker in the running game. Watson's two-year deal with the Chiefs expires after 2024, so he'll enter the offseason looking for a home for 2025 in his age 29 campaign. It's unlikely he'll find his way into fantasy relevance in future campaigns, but the veteran should claim a depth role somewhere again this offseason.

Watson recorded one reception on three targets for five yards in Sundahy's 38-0 loss to the Broncos.

The Chiefs rested the majority of their top skill-position players and Watson also drew limited snaps with his lone catch coming late in the second quarter. Watson ends the regular season with 22 receptions on 32 targets, the latter his lowest mark since 2021. He should retain a peripheral role in the offense throughout its postseason run.

Watson caught both of his targets for 60 yards and a touchdown in Wednesday's 29-10 win over the Steelers.

All of Watson's production came on Kansas City's second possession, as he made a field-flipping 49-yard reception and secured an 11-yard touchdown three plays later. Watson sees limited usage in a Chiefs receiving corps that has added depth through trades and players returning from injuries, but when Watson gets targeted, it's often on deep shots.

Watson was not targeted during Sunday's 19-17 victory over the Chargers.

Watson plays a consistent role for the Chiefs on offense, accumulating a snap percentage in the high 40s or better. That said, he has seen a marked drop from 58-plus percent from Weeks 4 to 12 down to just 48 and 49 percent in the last two games, and the 28-year-old wideout has proven time and again he's not much of a fantasy threat, tallying no more than three receptions in a game this season. Watson can safely be left in free agency in most league formats.

Watson reeled in one of three targets for six yards and a touchdown during Friday's 19-17 win versus the Raiders.

Watson found pay dirt for the first time this season, marking his sixth total touchdown in three seasons with the Chiefs. The grab also represented his only reception on the day, and his three targets marked just the fourth time this season he has tallied more than two. Watson should continue to log regular snaps but doesn't supply much fantasy value unless he finds the end zone on a given week.

Watson tallied one reception (on two targets) for 15 yards during Sunday's 30-27 victory versus Carolina.

There likely aren't many fantasy managers utilizing Watson on their squads, and for good reason. Despite sporting the heaviest snap share among wideouts on the team (64 percent), Watson has just 18 catches for 218 yards and no touchdowns to his name. He's turned in no more than three catches in a game all season and hasn't tallied more than two in any of the last three weeks. Unless he finds pay dirt, a feat he has yet to accomplish, Watson's weekly fantasy upside remains minimal.

Watson reeled in both of his targets for 26 yards during Sunday's 30-21 loss against the Bills.

Despite matching his two-catch and two-target total from a week ago, Watson notably played a significantly lower snap percentage (56 percent) compared to what he drew (75 percent) last week and in preceding games. That likely correlates with the return of JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) from a multi-week absence, leaving Watson slightly lower on the pecking order for reps. He finished with the second-most offensive snaps (31) behind Xavier Worthy (32), but Watson doesn't produce enough to warrant fantasy consideration in most leagues.

Watson hauled in both of his targets for six yards during Sunday's 16-14 victory versus the Broncos.

Watson remains a regular in the offensive game plan, logging a team-high 52 snaps at wide receiver. That said, he's not a significant target as a receiver, finishing with no more than three catches n a game this season. The veteran wideout should continue to see regular offensive snaps but doesn't serve much purpose from a fantasy perspective.

Watson caught three of four targets in Monday's 30-24 overtime win versus the Buccaneers.

JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) was inactive, meaning Watson served as the No. 3 wide receiver and recorded a 69 percent snap share. Watson has handled a consistent role in this offense, but he has yet to post more than three receptions or 45 receiving yards in a game this season.

Watson reeled in all three of his targets for 33 yards during Sunday's 27-20 victory versus the Raiders.

Watson matched a season-high total with just three targets, racking up a season-best yardage output on the way to a season-best 76 percent snap share. While the workload remains high, Watson's total from Sunday being a season-best paints a clearer picture of his fantasy value every week. To put it plainly, he can be left on waiver wires in the vast majority of league formats.

Watson reeled in his only target for eight yards during Sunday's 28-18 win over the 49ers.

Watson continues to log regular reps for the Chiefs, claiming the largest snap share (73 percent) among wideouts Sunday. Despite that, he's rarely utilized as a pass-catcher, sporting just seven grabs through the first six games. The Chiefs are also, unsurprisingly, rumored to be shopping around for another wide receiver before the trade deadline, a move which would position Watson further down the pecking order. Watson should continue to see ample playing time for now, especially after JuJu Smith-Schuster departed Sunday's contest due to a hamstring aggravation.

Watson wasn't targeted during Monday's 26-13 win against the Saints.

Watson still logged the most snaps (59) among Chiefs wideouts Monday, but he's clearly not a go-to option as a receiver. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman and Savier Worth all saw more targets despite playing fewer snaps. Watson hasn't reeled in more than two passes in a game today, so even if his playing time increases moving forward with Rashee Rice (knee) and Hollywood Brown (shoulder) both done for the regular season, the veteran wideout is unlikely to enter the fantasy realm in a meaningful way.

Watson hauled in two of three targets for 27 yards during Sunday's 17-10 win versus the Chargers.

The Chiefs' carnage of injuries continued to pile up Saturday, adding Rashee Rice (knee) to the list. Thus, Watson could be in line for additional snaps moving forward; he logged the second-most snaps during Sunday's game behind Xavier Worthy. Per Adam Teicher of ESPN, head coach Andy Reid plans to spread the ball around more in the absence of Rice, meaning Watson could see a few more looks. Even if that's the case, Watson has been in similar positions in years past, so it remains to be seen if the veteran wideout can provide any significant fantasy value.

Watson had one reception (on two targets) for 13 yards during Sunday's 22-17 win over Atlanta.

Watson dropped to fourth in snap percentage among Chiefs wide receivers Sunday, and he's proven to be far from a regular fantasy contributor even with more regular playing time. At this point, there is little to like in Watson's fantasy profile, barring multiple injuries at wide receivers that would force him into a more significant role.

Watson hauled in both of his targets for 22 yards during Sunday's game versus the Bengals.

Watson made the most of his limited opportunities and has reeled in each of the three passes thrown his way through two games. That said, he played less than half the offensive snaps (45 percent) in Sunday's contest and has just three targets through two games. As has been the case for Watson in recent seasons, the wideout seems slated to play a regular role that doesn't figure to amount to fantasy relevance in most league formats.

Watson secured his only target for 25 yards during Thursday's 27-20 win over the Ravens.

Watson played 52 percent of offensive snaps versus Baltimore in Week 1, working as the Chiefs' clear No. 3 receiver behind Rashee Rice (78 percent) and Xavier Worthy (63 percent). That involvement will dip once starter Marquise Brown (shoulder) returns from injury, but if he remains sidelined Week 2 versus Cincinnati, Watson will have another opportunity to capitalize on an increased snap share.

Watson could see added early-season opportunities, with Marquise Brown dealing with a shoulder injury, Adam Teicher of ESPN reports.

With Brown -- whose availability to start the coming season unclear -- unable to practice, Teicher relays that Watson has been taking many of the snaps that would have otherwise gone to Brown. While it remains to be seen if fellow wide receiver Rashee Rice will miss any time this season due to a potential suspension, it does appear in any event that Watson is a candidate to see increased snaps out of the gate this season pending Brown's status, with rookie Xavier Worthy additionally poised to factor in. Also in mix for WR depth chart slotting are Skyy Moore, Kadarius Toney, Justyn Ross, Mecole Hardman and Nikko Remigio

Watson (foot) is participating in practice Sunday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Watson injured his foot during practice July 24 and missed several days of training camp, but he's back on the field Sunday. That confirms initial reports that the receiver's foot issue wouldn't sideline him long-term. Watson is looking to establish himself as a Top 4 option among Kansas City's receiving corps after setting career-high marks with 27 catches for 460 yards and three touchdowns over 16 regular-season games last year.

Watson is expected to miss just a few days of training camp with what Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com refers to as a minor foot issue.

Per Derrick, at first glace the left foot injury that Watson sustained Wednesday appeared concerning, but tests have reportedly revealed that the wideout avoided a long-term issue. Once Watson is able to return to practice, he'll look to cement his standing in a Kansas City WR corps that also includes Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, Xavier Worthy, Kadarius Toney, Mecole Hardman and Skyy Moore. In 16 regular-season outings in 2023, Watson compiled a 27/460/3 receiving line.

Watson (undisclosed) departed Wednesday's practice early due to an apparent injury, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

Watson was injured while catching a pass, then after meeting with trainers was carted into the locker room, per Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. The severity of his injury remains undisclosed, but any missed time on Watson's part will open up first-team opportunities for receivers lower on Kansas City's depth chart, especially with Xavier Worthy (illness) still missing time. Kadarius Toney, Mecole Hardman, Skyy Moore, Justyn Ross and Nikko Remigio could all notably benefit from more first-team reps.

Watson recorded two receptions on two targets for 20 yards in Saturday's 26-7 win over the Dolphins.

Watson has emerged as Kansas City's third pass catcher at points this season, though he was one of four players with either two or three targets in Saturday's win. Instead, targets were heavily concentrated between Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce. With the performance, Watson failed to top 30 yards for the first time in three games in which he's played a full snap share.

Watson didn't catch a pass (on one target) during Sunday's 13-12 win over the Chargers.

Watson was among those active for Sunday's regular-season finale, but he didn't play too much, instead allowing Mecole Hardman (58 snaps), Richie James (48 snaps) and Justyn Ross (38 snaps) to claim the vast majority of action at wide receiver. Watson had played 45 percent or more of the offensive snaps in each of the previous seven games, and he will presumably claim a larger role in the postseason. Watson closes out the regular season with 27 catches for 460 yards and three touchdowns on 53 targets, finishing second among wideouts in all of the categories to rookie Rashee Rice.

Watson compiled one reception (on three targets) for 41 yards during Sunday's 25-17 win over the Bengals.

Watson made his lone catch count, hauling in a 41-yard deep ball from Patrick Mahomes to cross midfield with the Chiefs trailing in the third quarter, which helped set up the Chiefs for a field goal to draw within one. Unfortunately, that was his lone impact on the game, and Watson has one or fewer grabs in six of the last seven. He's a touchdown-dependent fantasy option that doesn't carry much value in the vast majority of league formats.

With Kadarius Toney (hip) ruled out, Watson figures to maintain a key role in the Chiefs offense Sunday against the Bengals.

With Toney sidelined in Week 16, Watson -- who has recorded a 26-419-3 receiving line in 14 games -- started against the Raiders, logging 49 of a possible 76 snaps on offense en route to catching four of his six targets for 38 yards and a touchdown. This weekend, look for Watson to maintain his complementary role behind Kansas City's top targets (TE Travis Kelce and WR Rashee Rice), a context that limits the 27-year-old's fantasy utility to deeper formats.

Watson (illness) will return to practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Watson missed Wednesday's practice, so his return to the field a day later puts him on track to be available Sunday against the Bengals. The Chiefs' upcoming injury report will clarify whether the wideout was limited or practiced without restriction Thursday.

Watson (illness) won't practice Wednesday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Watson still has plenty of time to recover before Sunday's game against the Bengals, but it would certainly be encouraging if he's able to practice Thursday or Friday. He caught his third receiving touchdown of the season in Monday's 20-14 loss to the Raiders and was targeted six times, so Watson could play a sizable role against Cincinnati if he's healthy by Sunday.

Watson caught four of six targets for 38 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 20-14 loss to the Raiders.

His seven-yard TD grab late in the fourth quarter gave Kansas City a shot at stealing the win, but the defense couldn't get a stop on Las Vegas' ensuing possession. Watson only has three touchdowns on the season but all three have come in the last six games, as he's established a little trust with Patrick Mahomes. The 27-year-old wideout has already put together a career-best campaign with 26 catches on 49 targets for 419 yards.

Watson caught one of three targets for 31 yards in Sunday's 27-17 win over the Patriots.

Watson played on 68 percent of the Chiefs' offensive snaps Sunday, yet he was only able to make one grab in the contest. The veteran now has recorded just 22 receptions for 381 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games this season. Despite Kansas City's need to find playmakers in their passing game, Watson has not taken a step forward into a more prominent role. Instead, it's been fellow wideout Rashee Rice that has stepped up in the Chiefs' receiving corps as one of Patrick Mahomes' reliable pass catchers. Watson's next opportunity to get more involved will be a Week 16 matchup against the Raiders.

Watson gathered in his only target for 18 yards during Sunday's 20-17 loss against the Bills.

Watson has collected a combined two passes over his last three games and has hauled in more than two passes in a game just twice all season, leaving the veteran wideout off the fantasy radar in most fantasy formats. He continues to play regular snaps out wide but isn't a major factor as a receiver.

Watson was held without a target in Sunday's 27-19 loss to the Packers.

Despite playing 60 percent of the Chiefs' offensive snaps, Sunday marked the first time that Watson was held without a target this season. Outside of deeper formats, the 27-year-old's inconsistency from week to week make him untrustworthy for fantasy purposes. Nonetheless, Watson will look to get more involved in a potential shootout, as the Chiefs host the Bills in Week 14.

Watson caught 1 of 3 targets for three yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 31-17 victory against Las Vegas.

Watson scored for a second consecutive week, but it marked his only catch of the day on just three targets, so that still likely isn't enough to jump onto the fantasy radar in most formats. He did, however, draw 11 targets last week as well and has been targeted four times in the red zone in his last three games, so the veteran wideout could be worth a look in really deep formats.

Watson brought in five of 11 targets for 53 yards and a touchdown in the Chiefs' 21-17 loss to the Eagles on Monday night.

Watson was the surprise leader in receiving yards and targets on the night for the Chiefs, and he rounded out his productive effort by putting the first points of the game on the board via a three-yard touchdown grab in the latter portion of the first quarter. The sixth-year veteran established new career highs in receptions (19), receiving yards (329) and targets (36) with Monday night's production, and he heads into a Week 12 divisional road matchup versus the Raiders boasting a solid 9-110-1 line in his last three contests.

Watson caught two of his five targets for 15 yards during Sunday's 21-14 win against the Dolphins.

Watson equaled his season-high target count from Week 2 against the Jaguars on Sunday in Frankfurt, Germany, but he didn't make much out of the increased looks. Another tally in Watson's favor was that he played a season-high 63 percent of the offensive snaps, likely factoring into his increased target volume. If the veteran wideout continues to play regularly, there could be a bit more fantasy upside to his game, though it's worth noting Watson has yet to find pay dirt this year. He also hasn't produced more than 62 receiving yards in a contest this year.

Watson accrued two receptions (on three targets) for 42 yards during Sunday's 24-9 defeat against the Broncos.

Watson missed last week due to an elbow issue and came up empty on his lone target in the team's first meeting with the Broncos in Week 6, but he found his way back into the box score Sunday with a pair of grabs. Watson typically makes the most out of his limited grabs with big gains, averaging 21.8 yards per catch on the year, but he has yet to reach pay dirt and doesn't produce enough to warrant consideration in most fantasy formats.

Watson (elbow) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

Watson thus appears ready to return for Sunday's game in Denver, though he'll likely be wearing a brace over his dislocated elbow. His presence mostly matters for fantasy as it relates to Rashee Rice's snap/route shares, as none of the other Kansas City WRs has done much of note this season. Rice is coming off his best receiving line of the year in a win over the Chargers, so he won't automatically lose playing time now that Watson is available again.

Watson (elbow) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that Watson likely won't have to go on injured reserve, but the wide receiver was never really in contention to suit up Sunday, as he failed to practice in any capacity after sustaining an elbow injury in last Thursday's 19-8 win over Denver. Watson's next chance to suit up will come in a Week 8 rematch with the Broncos.

Watson (elbow) remained sidelined at practice Friday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Watson hasn't practiced this week and seems likely to be ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers. In his looming absence, Mecole Hardman -- who was recently re-acquired by the Chiefs -- is a candidate to be active this weekend in order to bolster the team's Week 7 WR depth.

Watson (elbow) won't practice Wednesday, but coach Andy Reid doesn't believe the wide receiver will require a stint on injured reserve, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Reading between the lines, the fact that injured reserve was on the table suggests that Watson won't be available in Week 7 against the Chargers, though official confirmation of his status likely won't come until Friday's injury report, with two more chances for the wide receiver to practice before then. Watson dislocated his elbow in last Thursday's 19-8 win over the Broncos.

Watson (elbow) hasn't been ruled out for Kansas City's Week 7 game against the Chargers after an MRI revealed no structural damage, but his dislocated elbow could still keep him out for a few weeks, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

Watson dislocated his elbow in Thursday's 19-8 win over the Broncos. The MRI revealed positive news for the wide receiver, but Watson may still miss some game action. His participation level in practice when the Chiefs begin preparing to face the Chargers will provide clarity regarding Watson's chances of suiting up Week 7.

Watson reportedly suffered a dislocated elbow during Thursday's 19-8 win over the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Per Rapoport, Watson's X-Rays were negative and the wideout is slated to undergo an MRI, but it looks like Watson could be on track to miss a few weeks. If that's the case, the Chiefs' healthy WR options during that span would be Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, Kadarius Toney, Rashee Rice and Justyn Ross. Though six games thus far, Watson has caught 10 of his 17 targets for 219 yards.

Watson suffered an elbow injury during Thursday's 19-8 win over the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

It's unclear when Watson suffered the injury, or what the exact nature of the issue may be. It's possible that he was limited throughout the game, as he was held to only one target with no receptions during the win.

Watson reeled in two of his three targets for 56 yards during Sunday's 27-20 victory versus the Vikings.

Watson didn't play quite as much as he had previously, falling behind both Marquez Valdes-Scantling (65 percent) and Skyy Moore (56 percent) in snap share, but that didn't stop him from turning in his third effort of 50-plus receiving yards through the first five weeks. Watson has proven to be a valuable vertical threat in the passing attack, racking up five catches of 20-plus yards on the season, but he has yet to score a touchdown. The sixth-year wideout doesn't claim a heavy volume of targets, so he can remain off the fantasy radar in most formats.

Watson reeled in his only target for five yards during Sunday's 23-20 victory against the Jets.

Watson claimed the most snaps (43) among wide receivers in the contest, but that did nothing to enhance his fantasy production, finishing with a season-low one catch and fewer than 40 receiving yards for the first time in 2023. That may be chalked up partially to a stingy Jets secondary, but Watson doesn't produce consistently enough on the regular to warrant consideration in most fantasy formats. Next up is a Minnesota defense that ranks in the bottom third of the league in passing yards per game allowed, so there could be a bounceback opportunity for the aerial attack.

Watson notched two receptions (on three targets) for 51 yards during Sunday's 41-10 victory against Chicago.

Watson has remained surprisingly involved in the Chiefs' passing attack this season despite all of the options in the wide receiver room, collecting 12 targets through the first three weeks. He's averaged north of 20 yards per completion in his first three contests, finishing with at least 45 receiving yards in each of the first three, but he doesn't produce enough to warrant consideration in the majority of fantasy formats at this point. Given that he's in his seventh year in the league and second with Kansas City, it's unlikely change is on the horizon.

Watson secured three of his five targets for 62 yards in Sunday's 17-9 win over the Jaguars.

Watson finished second in receiving yards for the second-straight contest, as his 62 yards were just shy of Skyy Moore, who led the team with 70 receiving yards. Patrick Mahomes continued to spread the ball around Sunday, targeting 12 different players over the course of the game. With that said, Watson could struggle to maintain a clear and consistent role in the offense. Through two games, the 27-year-old has earned a solid nine targets, but his snap percentages of 26 percent and 45 percent in Weeks 1 and 2 leave much to be desired. Watson will look to become a more established part of the offense in Week 3 when the Chiefs host the Bears.

Watson brought in two of four targets for 45 yards in the Chiefs' 21-20 loss to the Lions on Thursday night.

Watson checked in second in receiving yards on the night with the help of a 26-yard reception, as Patrick Mahomes spread the ball around generously in the absence of Travis Kelce (knee). The 2018 fifth-round pick of the Buccaneers put up a 15-315-2 line in his debut Chiefs campaign last season, and he's projected for a larger role to some degree in 2023. Watson's target total Thursday tied for second on the night for Kansas City, but it remains to be seen how his opportunities are affected if Kelce returns to action in a Week 2 matchup versus the Jaguars a week from Sunday.

Watson is expected to receive more playing time than rookie Rashee Rice and second-year wideout Justyn Ross early on during the 2023 season, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

Teicher notes that based on how the Chiefs utilized their receivers in training camp, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore and Watson will see the most snaps out of the gate, and Kadarius Toney (knee) will also factor into that mix if he's available to play in Thursday's season opener versus the Lions after missing all of camp while recovering from meniscus surgery. Though Rice led the Chiefs with 14 catches in the preseason and the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Ross profiles as a red-zone threat, the former had issues with drops and the latter spent the entire 2022 season recovering from a foot injury. As such, the Chiefs are expected to hand the two young wideouts only limited roles early on, paving the way for Watson and some of the Chiefs' more established receivers to pick up more playing time. Watson handled snap shares north of 50 percent in all but one of the Chiefs' final nine games of the 2022 regular season, but he generated just nine catches for 214 yards and no touchdowns on 20 targets over that stretch. T

Kansas City re-signed Watson on a two-year contract Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Watson put together a career-best 15-315-2 receiving line on 34 targets across 17 regular-season appearances in 2022, his first year paired with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Now back with the Chiefs on a two-year deal, Watson figures to reprise his role as a rotational deep threat, one that mostly limits his fantasy value to best ball formats or extremely deep leagues.

Watson (illness) was listed as a full participant on the Chiefs' estimated injury report Wednesday.

Watson was inactive for the AFC Championship Game against the Bengals due to an illness that surfaced late in the week, but he appears to have cleared the aliment and should be full go for Kansas City's Super Bowl prep. The fifth-year wideout played 37 snaps during the Chiefs' divisional-round win over the Jaguars and secured his lone target for 12 yards. He also appeared in all 17 of Kansas City's regular-season contests, totaling 15 receptions on 34 targets for 315 yards and two scores.

Watson (illness) is inactive for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals.

Watson caught his lone target for 12 yards across 37 offensive snaps during the Chiefs' divisional-round win over the Jaguars, but he won't be able to play Sunday due to an illness that surfaced late in the week. In his absence, Skyy Moore will be a candidate for increased snaps behind JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney and Mecole Hardman.

Watson (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals after not practicing Friday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Watson's status will thus be worth monitoring as Sunday's 6:30 ET kickoff approaches, but on the heels of recording a 15-315-2 stat line on 34 targets in 17 games this past season, the wideout is only a fantasy option in deeper formats.

Watson gathered in 1 of 2 targets for 67 yards during Saturday's 31-13 victory against the Raiders.

Watson beat his defender down the left sideline to reel in a perfectly placed deep shot from Patrick Mahomes on just the second play of the game, giving the Chiefs a first and goal inside the five-yard line. While it was an excellent way to start his day, Watson didn't contribute anything more to the box score. He's been targeted two or fewer times in six of the last seven games and has just three total catches in the last six. Despite logging north of 50 percent of the snaps most weeks of the second half, Watson doesn't get involved enough in the passing attack to warrant a look in most playoff formats and finishes out the regular season with just 15 grabs for 315 yards and two touchdowns on 34 targets. He enters the offseason slated to become an unrestricted free agent, so it's too early to tell where he will be playing in 2023.

Watson caught 1 of 2 targets for 27 yards during Sunday's 27-24 win against Denver.

Watson made his first catch since Week 13 in this one and played only 22 offensive snaps (37 percent), falling well below his snap counts over the last three weeks. Even big snap counts don't tend to result in much fantasy production from Watson, who can be left on the waiver wire in most formats.

Watson hauled in 0 of 2 targets for zero yards during Sunday's 30-24 overtime victory versus the Texans.

Watson hasn't hauled in a pass in either of the last two games despite playing 60-plus percent of the snaps in each of them. He hasn't drawn more than two targets since Week 11, and there's little reason to roster him in any format at this point.

Watson didn't haul in either of his targets during Sunday's 34-28 win versus the Broncos.

Despite playing 64 percent of the offensive snaps, Watson drew just two targets and couldn't reel in either of them, finishing the day with an empty stat line for the first time since Week 6. That being said, Watson hasn't topped three catches in a game this season and has just two receiving touchdowns, so there isn't a ton to like from a fantasy perspective.

Watson hauled in his only target for 15 yards during Sunday's 27-24 loss against the Bengals.

Watson's snap count dipped to just 62 percent (34 snaps) in this one, his lowest mark since Week 9 aginst the Titans. Even when he's seen more playing time, Watson hasn't tallied more than three catches in a game and has just one touchdown on the ledger, so he's not much of a fantasy asset.

Watson gathered in all two targets for 26 yards during Sunday's 26-10 win against the Rams.

Watson has seen the largest uptick in his snap count over the last three weeks with Mecole Hardman (abdomen) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion) either sidelined or limited, while rookie Skyy Moore has also enjoyed an increased snap count. Once Smith-Schuster is back in full, the pair could see their workloads reduced a bit, though Hardman's continued absence should open the door for additional snaps. Even so, Watson hasn't reeled in more than three passes in a game this season, so he's not on the fantasy radar in most formats.

Watson recorded three receptions (on four targets) for 67 yards during Sunday's 30-27 win versus the Chargers.

Watson logged a season-high 57 offensive snaps in this contest (88 percent), which wasn't as shocking following the news that JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion) and Mecole Hardman (abdomen) would be sidelined for the game and Kadarius Toney (hamstring) also left early and didn't return. If Toney and Smith-Schuster remain sidelined next week, Watson could be worth a look in daily fantasy and some season-long formats.

Watson's in line for an expanded role Sunday against the Chargers, as Adam Teicher of ESPN reports that both JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion) and Mecole Hardman (abdomen) will miss the game.

Kansas City's top four wide receivers will be Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Watson, Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore. Valdes-Scantling has been battling an illness this week, Moore's an unproven rookie who hasn't made much of an impact on offense and Toney has been with the team for less than a month. Watson has built up a rapport with Patrick Mahomes, albeit in a depth role, but he'll have some upside on SNF given the lack of healthy alternatives in Kansas City's high-powered passing game.

Watson turned his lone target into a 12-yard reception in Sunday's 27-17 win over the Jaguars.

With Mecole Hardman (abdomen) inactive for the Week 10 contest and with JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion) exiting early, Watson played a season-high 45 snaps on offense (73 percent share). That snap count actually handily outpaced Kadarius Toney (28, 45 percent) for third among Kansas City wideouts, but Toney (four receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown, two carries for 33 yards) was far more involved than Watson. Given how Toney was able to capitalize on his touches, it wouldn't be surprising if his snap count surpassed Watson's in Week 11 against the Chargers, regardless of the statuses of Hardman and Smith-Schuster.

Watson failed to secure his lone target in Sunday's 41-31 win over the Buccaneers.

Watson was held without a catch on one target for the second straight week, playing just 14 of the Chiefs' 80 offensive snaps Sunday. With so many mouths to feed in Kansas City, the veteran wideout find himself as an afterthought in the offense behind fellow receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Juju Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman and Skyy Moore. Watson should remain out of fantasy lineups when the Chiefs host the Raiders in Week 5.

Watson failed to corral his lone target while playing nine snaps on offense in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Colts.

After recording a 41-yard touchdown reception in last week's win over the Chargers, Watson was unable to come through with a splash play Sunday while taking the field for just 15 percent of the Chiefs' snaps on offense. So long as Kansas City has all of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Mecole Hardman available at receiver, Watson will be unlikely to find himself on the field for even a third of the Chiefs' offensive plays in most games.

Watson (chest) was a full participant at practice Wednesday.

Watson picked up a minor injury after catching a touchdown during Kansas City's 27-24 victory over the Chargers in Week 2, but it doesn't appear that it's going to hold him out of Sunday's game at Indianapolis. 50 yards and a touchdown on just three targets is efficiency that's impossible to sustain, so Watson will likely need Mecole Harman (heel) to sit out to have a path to similar numbers in Week 3.

Watson caught both of his targets for 50 yards and a touchdown during Thursday's 27-24 win over the Chargers, but Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said after the game that the wideout also picked up a shoulder injury, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Watson's first catch of the season was a 41-yard bomb from Patrick Mahomes that cut the Chiefs deficit to three. The score marked the veteran wideouts first touchdown since 2019, when he caught 15 passes for 159 yards and two scores -- all career highs -- for the Buccaneers. Watson added a nine-yard catch at the end of the third and was pushed out of bounds by Asante Samuel. It's unclear when Watson picked up the injury, but he'll have 10 days to clear the issue before Kansas City returns to action against Jacksonville on Sept. 25.

Watson (chest) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice.

The Chiefs listed Watson as a limited participant on Monday's estimated report, but he didn't encounter any restrictions when the team held a more traditional practice session Tuesday. The 26-year-old receiver is in line to play Thursday against the Chargers, after he failed to catch his only target during last Sunday's season opener against the Cardinals.

Watson suffered a chest injury during Sunday's win over the Cardinals, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Watson failed to secure his lone target during Sunday's season opener, and he was unable to return to the game after sustaining a chest injury during the second half. His availability for Thursday's matchup against the Chargers isn't yet clear.

Watson signed a contract with the Chiefs on Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Watson underwent knee surgery in July, which cost him the start of the 2021 campaign. He was activated off the PUP list at the end of December and played 19 special team snaps against the Panthers in Week 16. However, he suffered a quadriceps injury during the contest that sidelined him for the rest of the regular season. Watson was then waived and rejoined the Buccaneers' practice squad in the middle of January. The 2018 fifth-round pick has caught 23 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns in 40 appearances across four NFL seasons -- all with Tampa Bay.

Watson was signed to the Buccaneers' practice squad Tuesday, Scott Smith of the team's official website reports.

The wide receiver was waived by the team Saturday but he was quickly returned to the practice squad just a few days later. Watson has only appeared in one game this season, operating as a special-teams option.

Watson (quadriceps) was waived by the Buccaneers on Saturday, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Watson was questionable ahead of Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Eagles, but he'll now part ways with Tampa Bay. He made just one appearance for the Buccaneers during the regular season and played exclusively on special teams.

Watson (quadriceps) is questionable for Sunday's wild-card matchup with the Eagles.

After being limited Wednesday and Thursday, Watson logged a full practice Friday, but his status for Sunday is still up in the air. He's only made one appearance for Tampa Bay this season, but with Cyril Grayson (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (knee) out and Antonio Brown dismissed from the team, there are certainly opportunities available for the Buccaneers' backup wideouts.

Watson (quadriceps) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official website reports.

The wide receiver was limited at practice for the second consecutive day to open the week. Watson has missed the Bucs' last two games while dealing with a quadriceps injury, but his ability to practice early in the week bodes well for his chances to play in Sunday's wild-card contest versus the Eagles.

Watson (quadriceps) logged a limited practice Wednesday.

Watson missed the Buccaneers' last two games of regular season while dealing with a quadriceps injury. The wide receiver's ability to practice is a positive sign for his chances to play in Sunday's Wild Card matchup with the Eagles.

Watson (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Watson will be sidelined for the second consecutive contest due to the quadriceps injury. Jaelon Darden and Scotty Miller should be the depth option in Tampa Bay's receiving corps for Week 18.

Watson (quadriceps) didn't participate in Thursday's practice session.

Watson was sidelined for Sunday's win over the Jets and is still bothered by his quad issue ahead of Week 18. If he has a chance to play Sunday against Carolina, he'll likely need to practice in some capacity Friday.

Watson (quadriceps) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

The reserve wideout was able to log 19 snaps on special teams in Week 16 against the Panthers, an appearance that represented his season debut after overcoming a knee injury. However, Watson picked up a quadriceps issue in that contest that will put him right back on the shelf Sunday. He'll have one more chance to tune up for postseason play in the Week 18 regular-season finale versus the Panthers.

Watson (quadriceps) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Watson played 19 snaps on special teams in his season debut last week after spending the first 15 weeks of the season on the PUP list, and he's now dealing with a quadriceps issue. If available, the 25-year-old could see more offensive action Sunday if Mike Evans (knee) or Antonio Brown (ankle) is sidelined.

Watson (knee) was activated from the PUP list Friday.

Watson returned to practice Dec. 8 and is now ready to rejoin the active roster after missing the first 15 weeks of the campaign. The 2018 fifth-round pick caught seven passes for 94 yards in 2020 and should fill a depth role in Tampa Bay's receiving corps.

Watson (knee) was designated to return from the reserve/PUP list Wednesday.

Coach Bruce Arians said Monday that he didn't expect Watson to return to the field in 2021, but he'll now be able to join the team for practice. If the receiver isn't activated from the PUP list within 21 days, he'll be forced to miss the remainder of the season.

Coach Bruce Arians said Monday that he doubts Watson (knee) will be able to return from the reserve/PUP list this season, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Watson was initially expected to be sidelined until around November, but it appears as though he'll be forced to miss the entire 2021 campaign after he underwent knee surgery in late July. The 25-year-old is slated to become a free agent during the offseason after spending his first four professional seasons in Tampa Bay.

Watson (knee) has yet to return to practice after being placed on the reserve/PUP list in August, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

The wide receiver sustained the knee injury in training camp and had surgery in July. The expectation was that Watson would be able to return at some point in November but he hasn't returned to practice yet. With the Buccaneers already pretty stacked at the position with the likes of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, there's no reason to rush him in his recovery.

Watson (knee) lands on the Buccaneers PUP list, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Watson underwent knee surgery in July and is expected to be out until at least November. When the 25-year-old returns from injury he likely won't receive any meaningful snaps as Tampa Bay's receiving core is pretty stacked. The former Pennyslavania receiver is slated to sneak behind Tyler Johnson on the depth chart once he's fully recovered.

Watson will miss four months after undergoing knee surgery, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The news explains why Watson was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list earlier in the day. He's now expected to be out until late November at the earliest.

Watson was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list Saturday.

The Buccaneers didn't list a specific injury with the designation, so it's unclear exactly why Watson was placed on the PUP list. The 25-year-old could be on the outside looking in when it comes to a roster spot, so any missed time will be crucial.

Greg Auman of The Athletic identifies Watson as a player on the Buccaneers roster who's trending downward as training camp approaches.

It's not so much what Watson did or didn't do during offseason workouts and minicamp, but rather, the depth of the receiver depth chart and his minimal role after the first four games of the regular season last year. Watson posted a 7-94 line over the first three 2020 contests but never saw another target the rest of the season and was inactive for three of the Buccaneers' four postseason contests. The fourth-year wideout will be on the final year of his rookie contact in 2021, and although he has been a steady force on special teams with 20 tackles on coverage units over three seasons, Auman points out Watson is now competing with younger depth linebackers and defensive backs for that spot as well.

Watson finished the 2020 regular season with seven receptions (11 targets) for 94 yards and compiled 19 yards on two kickoff returns across 11 games. He also logged 17 snaps but no statistics during the NFC Championship Game win over the Packers.

The season started off encouragingly enough for Watson, considering the talent in front of him on the wideout depth chart. The third-year pro accumulated all of his stats from scrimmage for the campaign during the first three games, logging over 50 snaps in two of those contests while Chris Godwin battled multiple injuries. However, opportunity largely dried up for Watson after that point, particularly once Antonio Brown was brought aboard in late October. How much of an uphill battle the Penn product faces for a roster spot this summer largely hinges on the status of both Godwin and Brown, who are both slated for unrestricted free agency when the new league year begins in mid-March.

Watson (coach's decision) is listed as inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Watson kicked off the year with a combined seven receptions for 94 yards over three appearances between Weeks 1 and 4. Since that point, however, the 24-year-old has failed to post a single catch. When active over the latter half of the season, Watson's involvement has come primarily via special teams. The Penn product is averaging 17.8 snaps per game in that department since Week 8, compared to 13 total offensive snaps over the same span.

Watson did not see a target on his one snap during the Buccaneers' 27-24 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday, but he did return one kickoff for six yards.

Watson has been buried on the depth chart in recent weeks with Tampa Bay's top duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin healthy and Antonio Brown sliding into the No. 3 role. Watson hasn't recorded a reception since Week 4 and has logged a total of 10 snaps from scrimmage over the last four contests, leaving him a complete fantasy non-factor in all formats for the time being.

Watson didn't play a snap on offense in Monday's 27-24 loss to the Rams.

While Watson wasn't part of the offensive game plan, he should remain in the lineup after carving out a niche on special teams. The third-year wide receiver leads the team with six special-teams tackles after adding one more in Monday's loss.

Watson did not log any statistics over four snaps from scrimmage during Sunday's 46-23 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

The fourth-year receiver's snap count on offense was his lowest of the season, and he failed to log any offensive statistics for the fourth consecutive game as a result. Watson did see his second-highest level of participation on special teams (20 snaps), and he's seems likely to remain limited to that role unless multiple injuries strike the receiver depth chart ahead of him.

Watson (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday night's game against the Saints.

Watson now finds himself as the odd man out in a Tampa Bay receiving corps headlined by the likes of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown, with Rob Gronkowski occupying the tight end slot. Unless the Buccaneers' pass catching group suffers attrition, Watson could have a tough time earning snaps going forward.

Watson did not see any targets but returned one kickoff for 13 yards and had a key onside-kick recovery in the Buccaneers' 25-23 win over the Giants on Monday night.

Watson rather surprisingly played just five snaps from scrimmage despite the absence of Chris Godwin (finger) and Antonio Brown's (suspension) unavailability, but he put in a robust 18 snaps on special teams. Watson made a notable contribution on his final play in that capacity, as he recovered Graham Gano's onside-kick attempt at the Giants' 44-yard line with 28 second left after New York had closed to within two points. Watson's fantasy outlook for the second half of the season appears bleak absent a rash of multiple injuries at receiver for Tampa Bay, as Brown will knock all receivers on the latter portion of the positional depth chart down a notch when he makes his expected Week 9 debut.

Watson was untargeted on 12 offensive snaps during Sunday's 45-20 win against the Raiders.

Watson accumulated seven combined receptions for 94 yards between Weeks 1 and 4, but since sitting out a Thursday night loss to Chicago he's attracted zero targets over Tampa Bay's past two games. The Penn standout registered 15 receptions for 159 yards in 16 appearances for the Jameis Winston-led Buccaneers last year, and so far his seven-catch, 94-yard stat line is on a similar trajectory through seven weeks of the 2020 campaign.

Watson (chest) logged zero targets over 13 snaps from scrimmage in the Buccaneers' 38-10 win over the Packers on Sunday.

The third-year wideout came up empty for the first time this season in his return from a Week 5 absence. Watson had posted six receptions (on nine targets) for 88 yards over the prior two contests for which he'd suited up for, so he'll look to bounce back from this blanking in a Week 7 Sunday night battle versus the Raiders. However with the pass-catching corps now back to full health in terms of short-term injuries, Watson looks set to be relegated to the complementary role a No. 4 receiver usually fills.

Watson (chest) practiced fully Wednesday.

Watson has missed two of the past three games, but his most recent respite appears to have done the charm as he tends to a chest injury. As for his injured position mates, Mikes Evans (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, while Chris Godwin (hamstring) and Scotty Miller (hip/groin) were limited participants. Considering how the respective situations play out this week, Watson could be in line for a decent snap share Sunday versus the Packers.

Watson (chest) was on the field Tuesday for the Buccaneers' practice session, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Tampa Bay will release its first official Week 6 injury report Wednesday, so it won't be known until then whether Watson is practicing in a limited or full capacity. For what it's worth, Encina notes that Watson was donning a helmet Tuesday, suggesting the wideout will work out with the main group rather than off to the side. Watson and Chris Godwin (hamstring) both sat out the Week 5 loss to the Bears, resulting in Tyler Johnson picking up more work in three-receiver sets alongside Mike Evans and Scotty Miller.

Watson (chest) is ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Bears.

Watson missed a trio of practices this week, so it's not surprising to see him be ruled out for Week 5. With Chris Godwin (hamstring) also ruled out, and both Mike Evans (ankle) and Scotty Miller (hip/groin) listed as questionable, depth receivers like Tyler Johnson, Jaydon Mickens and Cyril Grayson could see expanded opportunities Thursday.

Watson (chest) was held out of practice Tuesday, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Watson has yet to take any on-field reps this week, which also is true of Mike Evans (ankle), Chris Godwin (hamstring) and Scotty Miller (hip/groin). The Bucs rolled with Evans, Miller and Watson this past Sunday against the Chargers, and the latter hauled in four of six passes for 40 yards. Assuming Watson is active Thursday at Chicago, a similar workload can be expected with Godwin slated to miss another game.

Watson (chest) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's injury report.

Watson led all Bucs wide receivers in offense snap share (74 percent, or 56 of 76) this past Sunday against the Chargers, turning them into four receptions for 40 yards on six targets. He benefitted from the absence of Chris Godwin (hamstring) -- who isn't expected to play this Thursday in Chicago -- and Mike Evans left Sunday's game for a spell to tend to his ankle injury. If the Bucs have a similar situation Week 5 to Week 4, Watson will be the No. 3 WR behind Evans and Scotty Miller (hip/groin).

Watson brought in four of six targets for 40 yards in the Buccaneers' 38-31 win over the Chargers on Sunday.

Watson played on a robust 56 snaps overall with Chris Godwin (hamstring) sidelined and turned in a solid performance in the victory. The third-year pro has upped his production and targets in each of the three contests he's played in thus far, and he showed no ill effects Sunday from the shoulder injury that had cost him Week 3. Watson could line up for another heavy workload in Thursday night's Week 5 matchup against the Bears, as Godwin is expected to be sidelined for that contest.

Watson could be in line for a starting assignment in Sunday's Week 4 tilt against the Chargers with Chris Godwin (hamstring) already ruled out and Scotty Miller (hip/groin) questionable, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

The third-year wideout could find himself in a similar situation to the tail end of last season, when both Mike Evans and Godwin were felled by hamstring injuries and Watson was pressed into a pair of spot starts. Miller did practice fully Friday and therefore appears to be trending in the right direction, but it seems as if Watson will serve as no less than the No. 3 receiver against Los Angeles on Sunday.

Watson (shoulder) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Watson wasn't able to suit up Week 3, but he now looks back to full health. With both Chris Godwin (hamstring) and and Scotty Miller (hip/groin) not practicing to begin the week, Watson could be in line to play a key role in Tampa Bay's receiving corps during Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Watson (shoulder) is out for Sunday's game in Denver, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Watson filled in for Chris Godwin (concussion) in last week's 31-17 win over the Panthers, catching two of three targets for 48 yards while playing 89 percent of snaps on offense. Godwin is back in the lineup for Week 3, while Watson will take his turn on the inactive list. Coach Bruce Arians suggested No. 3 receiver Scotty Miller (hip/groin) will be available Sunday.

Watson (shoulder) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.

On Wednesday, coach Bruce Arians called Watson's injury a hand/wrist issue, but the Buccaneers' practice report has termed it a shoulder concern. In any case, Watson hasn't made his presence felt on the practice field this week, hurting his chances to suit up Sunday in Denver. If he's unable to, Tampa Bay may turn to Tyler Johnson to serve as the No. 4 wide receiver behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Scotty Miller (hip/groin).

Watson (shoulder) isn't participating in the open portion of Thursday's practice, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

For the second straight day, Watson is destined to go down as a non-participant in practice. Unless he's able to fit in some activity during Friday's session, Watson would be at risk of missing Sunday's game against the Broncos. If that's the case, the Buccaneers could keep rookie Tyler Johnson active as the No. 4 receiver behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Scotty Miller.

Watson missed practice Wednesday with a hand/wrist injury sustained in this past Sunday's win over the Panthers and was labeled as "day-to-day" by coach Bruce Arians, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Watson's day-to-day label is encouraging, but he'll likely need to up his practice participation as the week progresses to have a realistic chance of suiting up in Denver on Sunday. With Chris Godwin having cleared concussion protocol earlier this week, Watson's not expected to play a major role either way as Tampa Bay's No. 4 receiver behind Mike Evans, Godwin and Scotty Miller.

Watson secured two of three targets for 48 yards in the Buccaneers' 31-17 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

The third-year pro was expected to see at least a slight bump in workload with the absence of Chris Godwin (concussion), and although that didn't truly materialize, Watson did make good use of the opportunities he was given. The 2018 fifth-round pick secured a 36-yard pass one one of his receptions and ultimately checked in second in receiving yardage on the team to Mike Evans. Watson could once again be poised for potential expanded opportunity in Week 3 against the Broncos on the road if Godwin is forced to miss that contest, but as was evident Sunday, his teammate's absence doesn't necessarily lock in a notable increase in targets.

Watson should see a large boost in playing time if Chris Godwin (concussion) doesn't play in Sunday's game against the Panthers, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Watson worked as the No. 4 receiver in last week's loss to the Saints, catching one of two targets on 16 percent snap share. Scotty Miller would be the better fantasy option after putting up a 5-73-0 receiving line on 61 percent snap share Week 1, but Watson would at least be in play as a desperation starter or a DFS punt. The Bucs listed Godwin as doubtful, albeit with the possibility of upgrading him to questionable after he undergoes testing Saturday.

Watson secured one of two catches for six yards in the Buccaneers' 34-23 loss to the Saints on Sunday.

Watson was likely set for a spot start had Mike Evans been unable to overcome his questionable designation due to a hamstring injury. However, with his teammate suiting up and logging what appeared to be a normal workload, Watson essentially operated as the de facto No. 4 receiver while Scotty Miller took on a clear No. 3 role. That could well be the norm as long as Miller and his elite speed are at full health, leaving Watson with unreliable fantasy value on a week-to-week basis.

Watson, who's listed as Mike Evans' (hamstring) backup on the first edition of the Buccaneers' unofficial depth chart, could draw a spot start in Week 1 against the Saints if his teammate isn't able to suit up, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Stroud adds Scotty Miller, who enjoyed one of the best training camps of any Buccaneers skill player by all accounts, would also enjoy an enhanced role in the event of an Evans absence. As for Watson, it wouldn't be the first time he's called upon to help fill in for the team's top receivers if that indeed comes to pass; the third-year wideout saw plenty of playing time, including a start, in Weeks 14-17 last season when both Evans and Chris Godwin succumbed to hamstring injuries, bringing in 14 of 24 targets for 146 yards and two touchdowns in that span.

Watson stood out with multiple plays in Tuesday's padded practice, Carmen Vitali of the team's official site reports.

Watson had already caught coach Bruce Arians' eye in last week's non-padded sessions by flashing improved speed courtesy of a slimmer physique, but Tuesday, the third-year wideout impressively continued to make plays while facing defenders. Vitali reports Watson first made a red-zone touchdown grab that prompted plenty of accolades from the coaches, and he subsequently made a highlight catch in the second-to-last seven-on-seven period over the middle underneath. Watson and Scotty Miller appear set to wage quite the battle for the third receiver role leading up to Week 1, as the latter has also been standing out in early practices.

Watson has impressed coach Bruce Arians as a candidate for the third receiver job in the early stages of training camp, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

The third-year pro reportedly dropped 10 pounds during this offseason, and Arians noted it's already paying dividends on the practice field. Watson hit 21 mph when running routes in a recent practice and has consistently shown more speed during early throwing sessions. The Penn product faces stiff competition on his bid for the third receiver role, with fleet second-year man Scotty Miller and rookie fifth-round pick Tyler Johnson, who's thought to have the talent befitting a much higher draft slotting, also vying for the job.

Watson, who is expected to push for a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver job vacated by the departed Breshad Perriman, will face competition from 2020 fifth-round pick Tyler Johnson.

Watson and Johnson seemingly share many of the same traits, namely, reliable hands and routes, as well as an impressive college history of red-zone success. Watson, a fifth-round selection himself back in 2018 who racked up 31 touchdown grabs over his last three seasons at Penn, began to make some strides on offense at the tail end of last season after spending his rookie campaign almost exclusively on special teams. The 25-year-old saw expanded opportunity due to the hamstring injuries that cut short the seasons of both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin short, turning in a pair of five-catch, one-touchdown efforts over the last four games. However, Johnson is believed to have talent befitting a notably higher draft selection, and the fact he led Power 5 schools in red-zone catches, red-zone receiving yards and red-zone touchdowns over the last four seasons project to make him a formidable rival to Watson in the competition to slot in behind Evans and Godwin on the depth chart.