JUSTIN WATSON NEWS

Mayfield, Garrett, Beckham lead surging Browns past Cowboys

OCTOBER 4, 2020 • Associated Press

Brady throws for 5 TDs, Bucs rally to beat Chargers 38-31

Tom Brady threw for 369 yards and five touchdowns, helping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rally from a 17-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 38-31 for their third straight vi...

OCTOBER 4, 2020 • Associated Press

Potential boost in volume on tap 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) questio...

Impact 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. Watson was pressed into a pair of spot starts and brought in seven of 14 targets for 70 yards and a touchdown over those two games. 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.

OCTOBER 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact Watson wasn't able to suit up in the Buccaneers' Week 3 win in Denver, 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 this weekend against the Chargers.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Lions WR Golladay makes 2020 debut; Bucs' Godwin also active

Detroit’s Kenny Golladay and Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin are a couple of noteworthy receivers returning to action in Sunday’s late games

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • Associated Press

Buccaneers-Broncos Injury Report Sept. 25: Justin Watson Ruled Out Bad news for wide receiver Justin Watson as he gets ruled out for Sunday’s game in Denver, but overall the Buccaneers are going into their m...

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Won't play in Denver Watson (shoulder) is out for Sunday's game in Denver, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

No practice Thursday Watson (shoulder) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.

Impact 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).

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Battling hand/wrist injury 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...

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact 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 for one of his receptions and ultimately checked in second in receiving yardage on the team to Mike Evans. Watson could 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.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Could have much larger role 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.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Brady talks perspective, accountability after debut loss

Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady says he “obviously made too many mistakes” in his Buccaneers debut

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • Associated Press

Could get Week 1 spot start 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 t...

Impact Stroud adds Scotty Miller, who put together 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.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Scotty Miller, Justin Watson emerging, battling for Tom Brady's throws After tuning up their bodies in the offseason, receivers Scotty Miller and Justin Watson are in position to step into larger roles.

AUGUST 26, 2020 • THEATHLETIC.COM

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

Impact 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 recorded 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.

AUGUST 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Catches coach's eye 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.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Justin Watson Picks Up Speed in Receiver Competition There's a long way to go in the Bucs' third-receiver battle, and the final answer could actually be a mix of candidates, but third-year man...

AUGUST 13, 2020 • BUCCANEERS.COM