JUSTIN WATSON NEWS

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

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bucs CB Richard Sherman, WR Justin Watson cleared for return to practice The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have cleared two players for a return to practice after lengthy absences due to injury

DECEMBER 8, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Unlikely to return in 2021 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.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact 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 Pennsylvania receiver is slated to sneak behind Tyler Johnson on the depth chart once he's fully recovered.

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact 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.

JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Moved to PUP list Watson (undisclosed) was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list Saturday.

Impact 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.

JULY 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Could be victim of numbers game Watson is trending downward for a roster spot as training camp approaches, per Greg Auman of The Athletic.

Impact It's not so much what Watson did or didn't do during offseason workouts and minicamp, but rather it's a product of Tampa Bay's depth at wide receiver and his minimal role for most of last year. Watson posted a 7-94 line over his first three 2020 contests but didn't see another target the rest of the way, and he was inactive for three of the Buccaneers' four postseason games. 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.

JULY 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Raptors ride strong 3rd quarter to 114-103 win over Nets

Pascal Siakam had 27 points and nine rebounds, OG Anunoby scored 25 points and the Toronto Raptors ran away from the Brooklyn Nets in the third quarter, winning their fourth straig...

APRIL 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Buried on depth chart most of '20 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...

Impact 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 once Antonio Brown was brought aboard in late October. How much of an uphill battle Watson faces for a roster spot this summer largely hinges on the status of Godwin and Brown, who are both slated for unrestricted free agency when the new league year begins in mid-March.

FEBRUARY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Chiefs' Watkins, Bucs' Brown and Brate active for Super Bowl

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins was cleared to play in the Super Bowl after missing the past three games with a calf injury

FEBRUARY 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Saints scratch QB Hill, RB Murray vs. Buccaneers

The Saints have ruled out two regular contributors to their running attack — option quarterback Taysom Hill and running back Latavius Murray — from Sunday’s divisional round playof...

JANUARY 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Smith out, Heinicke starts for Washington vs. Tampa Bay

Alex Smith is not in uniform for Washington’s wild-card game against Tampa Bay

JANUARY 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ragnow, Collins, Davis inactive in Buccaneers-Lions game

Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow and linebacker Jamie Collins are inactive against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being listed as questionable on Saturday

DECEMBER 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Eagles missing 3 starters in secondary against Cardinals

The Eagles are missing three starters in secondary against Arizona

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Healthy scratch for Week 15 Watson (coach's decision) is listed as inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Gets return opportunity in loss 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.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

At 6-3, Brady-led Bucs off to best start in nearly 2 decades

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers feel they’re as good as their record, maybe even better

NOVEMBER 10, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Healthy scratch Week 9 Watson (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday night's game against the Saints.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Key onside recovery Week 8 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.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

No targets against Las Vegas Watson was untargeted on 12 offensive snaps during Sunday's 45-20 win against the Raiders.

Impact Watson accumulated seven combined receptions for 94 yards between Weeks 1 and 4, but since sitting out a Thursday night loss to Chicago with injury he's attracted zero targets over Tampa Bay's past two games, as Tyler Johnson appears to have passed him on the depth chart. Watson 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.

OCTOBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE