Duke Watson News, Rumors, Updates - Louisville Cardinals

Lands at UCF Watson will transfer to UCF, per On3.com.

Impact Watson will land with the Knights after two seasons at Louisville. The tailback was productive in 2024, rushing for 597 yards and seven touchdowns on 8.9 yards per carry. He was limited to seven games in 2025, and only totaled 158 rushing yards, but he remained a hot commodity in the portal. Now, he'll take his talents to Orlando with two seasons of eligibility remaining.

JANUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Hitting transfer portal Watson is entering the transfer portal, Chris Hummer of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Watson missed five of the team's final eight games due to injury and is now heading in a different direction. He broke out as a freshman in 2024, totaling 597 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground while leading the nation with 8.9 yards per carry. Watson will have two years of eligibility remaining with his next program.

DECEMBER 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive for bowl game Watson (undisclosed) is in street clothes ahead of Tuesday's bowl game against Toledo, Haley Schoengart of WDRB News reports.

Impact Watson missed Louisville's regular-season finale with an unspecified injury, and he'll remain on the sidelines for the team's bowl game. He'll finish the 2025 season with 49 rushing attempts for 158 yards and two total touchdowns -- a drastic step back from his 2024 totals of 597 rushing yards and eight total touchdowns.

DECEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

New faces for Louisville run Kentucky into the ground in 41-0 blowout

Freshmen Braxton Jennings and Shaun Boykins Jr., both ran for more than 100 yards, helping Louisville overcome significant injuries and still rout Kentucky 41-0 on Saturday

NOVEMBER 29, 2025 • Associated Press

Not playing Week 14 Watson (undisclosed) is out for Saturday's game against Kentucky, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Watson is one of four running back that have been ruled out for this matchup as he recovers from undisclosed injury. The sophomore running back totaled 49 carries for 158 yards and one touchdown across seven appearances this season. In his absence, Braxton Jennings is expected to inherit an expanded role.

NOVEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Uncertain to play Saturday Watson is questionable to play in Saturday's game against Kentucky, Pete Nakos of On3.com reports.

Impact Watson comes as a surprise as no injury had been reported throughout the week and is one of multiple injuries to the position. The sophomore running back could see an expanded role if Isaac Brown (lower leg) and Keyjuan Brown (undisclosed) are held out.

NOVEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Saturday Watson (undisclosed) is available for Saturday's game against California.

Impact Watson was initially listed as probable following the latest update of the ACC injury report, so seeing him ready to roll isn't much of a surprise. Watson, who's making his return from a three-game absence, has made four appearances this season, carrying the rock 24 times for 64 yards.

NOVEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Probable for Saturday Watson (undisclosed) is probable for Saturday's game versus California, per the ACC availability report

Impact Watson, who has missed the last three games due to an undisclosed injury, is now probable for Week 11. His availability is coming at the perfect time for the Cardinals as star running back Isaac Brown (lower leg) is set to be out for multiple games. If Watson ends up being available, he and Keyjuan Brown would be set to lead the backfield Saturday.

NOVEMBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive against Virginia Tech Watson (undisclosed) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Virginia Tech.

Impact Watson will remain sidelined for a third-straight game as the Cardinals face off against the Hokies in Week 10. The 6-foot sophomore, who last appeared in Week 6, has logged 24 carries for 64 yards on the ground, along with three receptions for 39 yards and a score through the air on the season (four games). Watson's next chance to return will come in Week 11 against Cal.

OCTOBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

May be available Week 10 Watson (undisclosed) may be available for Saturday's game at Virginia Tech, Matt McGavic of Sports Illustrated reports.

Impact Watson is looking for his first game since Week 6, when he was limited to a two-carry and one target against Virginia. The running back has logged two DNPs post-UVA but may not have it extended to three Sunday. Though not 100 percent healthy, Watson is questionable for Louisville's upcoming game Saturday at Virginia Tech.

OCTOBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Watson (undisclosed) is out for Saturday's game against Boston College.

Impact Watson will miss a second straight week due to injury, thinning the depth of the Cardinals' backfield. With Watson out Keyjuan Brown should play a complimentary role behind Isaac brown.

OCTOBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out vs. Miami Watson (undisclosed) is out for Friday's game at Miami.

Impact The absence of Watson will be a big one for Louisville, as he plays a significant role out of the backfield. His absence will translate to more touches for Keyjuan Brown (undisclosed) if he plays, because otherwise, Braxton Jennings would be trusted into a bigger role as a backup behind Isaac Brown.

OCTOBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy vs. Virginia Watson (undisclosed) is healthy for Saturday's game against Virginia.

Impact Watson was at risk of missing his second game of the season ahead of Saturday's kickoff, but he'll now be good to go for the outing. The sophomore ball carrier has logged 23 carries for 62 yards across three games this campaign.

OCTOBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Will Isaac Brown, Duke Watson play in Louisville-Virginia game? Latest ACC injury report Will Isaac Brown and Duke Watson play in the Louisville Cardinals' college football game vs. Virginia? Here's the ACC injury report ahead of...

OCTOBER 3, 2025 • COURIER-JOURNAL.COM

Probable or better ahead of UVA Watson (lower leg) is probable or better heading into Louisville's game against Virginia in Week 6, Pete Nakos of On3.com reports.

Impact Watson has been hampered by a leg injury, but did manage to play last week in the win over Pitt, rushing for 47 yards on 14 carries. His backfield mate Isaac Brown is also expected to be available after he played against the Panthers but was stymied, clearly still hampered by his injury. The Cardinals backfield should be in much better shape heading into a tough game against Virginia.

OCTOBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dressed and warming up Watson (lower leg) is dressed and warming up ahead of Saturday's game at Pittsburgh, Jody Demling of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Watson, who is expected to suit up versus the Panthers, is in uniform and taking part in warmups ahead of the contest. It's another very good sign that he will be available after missing the Week 3 game with a lower leg injury.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to play Saturday Watson (lower leg) is expected to play in Saturday's game at Pittsburgh, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Watson, who missed last week with this lower leg injury, will attempt to suit up for Saturday's contest. He travelled with the team and will warm up with the intention to give it a go. Isaac Brown (lower leg) is dealing with the same situation, so both of the Cardinals' top two backs will not be 100 percent at Pitt.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to play Saturday Watson (lower leg) is expected to play in Saturday's game at Pittsburgh, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Will Isaac Brown, Duke Watson play in Louisville-Pitt game? Latest from ACC injury report Louisville Cardinals RB Isaac Brown played 2 snaps, and Duke Watson was out vs. Bowling Green. Latest on their status for the Louisville vs...

SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 • COURIER-JOURNAL.COM

Lower-leg injury affecting status Watson is questionable for Saturday's game at Pittsburgh because of a lower-leg injury, Jody Demling of 247Sports reports.

Impact Previously undisclosed, Watson's injury involves the lower part of one of his legs. It looked like he would be available for Week 5, but Louisville's head coach Jeff Brohm provided an updated statement Monday, and the statement says he will not know anything until later in the new week. As a result, Watson's injury status goes down a bit from probable to questionable for the Pittsburgh game.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Lower-leg injury affecting status Watson is questionable for Saturday's game at Pittsburgh because of a lower-leg injury, Jody Demling of 247Sports reports.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Looking available for Week 5 Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm is hopeful that Watson (undisclosed) will be available for Saturday's game at Pittsburgh, Jody Demling of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Because of an undisclosed injury, Watson did not play during Louisville's latest game, a 40-17 win last Saturday over Bowling Green. Fortunately for him, only one DNP looks like all he will log and sit out moving forward while the Cardinals prepare for Pittsburgh.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Big day in regular season finale Watson logged six rushes for 104 yards and two touchdowns and caught their only target for eight yards during Saturday's 41-14 victory against Kentucky.

Impact Watson had a huge day contributing over 100 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries as the Louisville ground game dominated Kentucky for 358 yards. Watson and the Cardinals will await bowl selections to find out their final opponent on the season.

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Isaac Brown, Duke Watson each rush for 2 TDs, Louisville gets 5 turnovers in 41-14 rout of Kentucky

Isaac Brown and Duke Watson rushed for two touchdowns each, Ramon Puryear returned one of Louisville’s five takeaways for a score and the Cardinals blew out rival Kentucky 41-14 on...

NOVEMBER 30, 2024 • Associated Press

Three touchdowns in loss Watson had 11 rushes for 117 yards and three touchdowns during Saturday's 38-35 loss to Stanford.

Impact Lead back Isaac Brown left the game after just two carries and Watson picked up the slack going for over 10 yards per carry while racking up three touchdowns.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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New faces for Louisville run Kentucky into the ground in 41-0 blowout

Isaac Brown, Duke Watson each rush for 2 TDs, Louisville gets 5 turnovers in 41-14 rout of Kentucky