Justin Watson - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Bengals trading for Texans' Justin Watson would fix hidden flaw The Cincinnati Bengals could really upgrade their wide receiver depth chart in a trade for Justin Watson of the Houston Texans.

AUGUST 1 • STRIPEHYPE.COM

In helmet for minicamp Watson (concussion) participated during the Texans' minicamp Tuesday, David J. Phillip of the Associated Press reports.

Impact Watson suffered a postseason-ending concussion during Houston's wild-card win at Pittsburgh in January, but he's now back to full health with minicamp underway. He currently projects for a depth role in a wide receiver corps led by two-time Pro Bowler Nico Collins and 2025 second-rounder Jayden Higgins.

JUNE 10 • ROTOWIRE

2025 derailed by calf issue Watson finished the 2025 regular season with just three games played, producing three receptions for 30 yards on four targets.

Impact Watson logged 40% or more of the offensive snaps in Week 1 and Week 2 before succumbing to a calf injury that landed him on injured reserve until the Week 18 matchup against the Colts. The wide receiver only logged 19% of the offensive snaps in his Week 18 revival and was not targeted in his return. Rookie Jaylin Noel seems to have absorbed Watson's role in the offense, and it is unclear if the veteran will be able to reclaim a place on the offense with Noel's added upside as a kick returner.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play in divisional round Watson (concussion) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's divisional-round matchup against the Patriots.

Impact The veteran wideout from Penn sustained a concussion in the Texans' wild-card win over the Steelers and wasn't able to clear protocol in time to play in the divisional round. Watson appeared in just three regular-season games for Houston in 2025, catching three of four targets for 30 yards. While he's sidelined Sunday, expect Jaylin Noel and Xavier Hutchinson to have expanded roles in the Texans' receiving corps.

JANUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Unable to practice Wednesday Watson (concussion) did not participate in practice Wednesday.

Impact Watson suffered a concussion in the Texans' wild-card game against the Steelers on Monday. The 29-year-old has both Thursday and Friday to have a chance at returning to practice. Watson still faces an uphill battle in clearing the NFL's concussion protocol in preparation for the Texans' AFC divisional round matchup on Saturday.

JANUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Texans secure first road playoff win with suffocating defensive performance

The Houston Texans finally won a road playoff game after dropping their first six with a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers

JANUARY 13 • Associated Press

Texans stifle Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers 30-6 for franchise's 1st road playoff win

The Houston Texans have secured their first road playoff win in franchise history, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6

JANUARY 13 • Associated Press

Won't return Monday Watson (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Monday's wild-card game against the Steelers.

Impact Watson suffered a concussion during the third quarter and has been diagnosed with a concussion. He didn't get any touches or targets prior to his departure. With Nico Collins (concussion) also ruled out for the remainder of the wild-card contest, Houston's wideout corps for the rest of the game consists of Jayden Higgins, Christian Kirk, Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoing concussion evaluation Watson is being evaluated for a concussion and is questionable to return to Monday's wild-card game against Pittsburgh.

Impact Watson was deemed questionable to return near the end of the third quarter. He spent some time in the medical tent before walking to the locker room. Watson typically serves as a depth wideout and also contributes on special teams.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from IR The Texans activated Watson (calf) from injured reserve Monday.

Impact Watson's 21-day window to return from injured reserve was set to close Wednesday, and with the Texans activating him from injured reserve, he'll be available for Houston's regular-season finale against Indianapolis on Sunday. Watson landed on IR in mid-September, and in the two games prior to his injury he logged three catches (on four targets) for 30 yards while also contributing on special teams.

DECEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Saturday The Texans announced Friday that Watson (calf), who remains on IR, is ruled out for Saturday's game against the Chargers.

Impact Watson is not yet ready to return to game-action despite having had his 21-day practice window opened Dec. 10. The depth wideout's next chance to return to the field will come Week 18 against the Colts on Sunday, Jan. 4, though if the Colts don't activate him to the 53-man roster Wednesday, Dec. 31, he will be forced to spend the remainder of the 2025 campaign on IR.

DECEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Not activated for Week 16 Watson (calf) has not been activated from injured reserve Saturday and is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Impact Watson will remain on IR despite having been a full participant at practice throughout Week 16. His next chance to retake the field will come Week 17 on the road against the Chargers.

DECEMBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out Sunday Watson (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup versus the Cardinals.

Impact Watson wasn't activated off injured reserve and will now be forced to miss another game. The Texans opened his 21-day practice window Wednesday, but the 29-year-old will have to wait at least another week to make his return.

DECEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice Wednesday Watson (Achilles) had his 21-day practice window opened Wednesday.

Impact Watson has been on injured reserve since getting injured in Week 2, but Wednesday's development marks a key step in his recovery process, as Watson will rejoin his teammates at practice. The Texans will have 21 days to add Watson back to the active roster from IR. Such a move could come prior to Sunday's game against the Cardinals, though Houston may ease Watson back in at practice first given his extensive layoff.

DECEMBER 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Should return in 2025 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 Chronic...

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact 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 drafted in the second and third rounds in 2025 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.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Texans aim for 3rd straight AFC South title, a feat not achieved since Peyton Manning's Colts

The Houston Texans have a chance at a third straight AFC South title with quarterback C

AUGUST 26, 2025 • Associated Press

Texans open camp with new offensive coordinator, revamped receiver group

Quarterback C

JULY 23, 2025 • Associated Press

10 things to know about Texans wide receiver Justin Watson He's won three Super Bowl rings, has caught passes from Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, and played Ivy League football. Meet Houston Texans w...

MARCH 19, 2025 • HOUSTONTEXANS.COM

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

Impact 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.

MARCH 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Chiefs bring back wide receiver 'Hollywood' Brown on deal worth up to $11 million, AP source says

A person familiar with the contract negotiations told The Associated Press on Saturday that the Kansas City Chiefs are bringing back wide receiver Marquise Brown on a one-year deal...

MARCH 8, 2025 • Associated Press

Patrick Mahomes finds Justin Watson for 2-PT conversion Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes finds tight end Justin Watson for 2-PT conversion.

FEBRUARY 18, 2025 • NFL.COM

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

Impact 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.

FEBRUARY 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Texans secure first road playoff win with suffocating defensive performance

Texans stifle Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers 30-6 for franchise's 1st road playoff win

Texans aim for 3rd straight AFC South title, a feat not achieved since Peyton Manning's Colts

Texans open camp with new offensive coordinator, revamped receiver group

Chiefs bring back wide receiver 'Hollywood' Brown on deal worth up to $11 million, AP source says