JUSTIN WATSON NEWS

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

No targets in return Watson (chest) logged zero targets over 13 snaps from scrimmage in the Buccaneers' 38-10 win over the Packers on Sunday.

Impact 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, 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.

OCTOBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Puts in full practice Watson (chest) practiced fully Wednesday.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Arians not speaking for Brady regarding 4th down confusion

If Tom Brady lost track of what down it was on the final play of a failed comeback bid against the Chicago Bears, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback is keeping it to himself

OCTOBER 9, 2020 • Associated Press

Evans, Miller, Fournette available for Bucs against Bears

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receivers Mike Evans and Scott Miller are active for the Thursday night game against the Chicago Bears, as is running back Leonard Fournette

OCTOBER 8, 2020 • Associated Press

Ruled out for Thursday Watson (chest) has been ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Bears.

Impact Watson missed a trio of practices this week, so it's not surprising to see him be ruled out for the Thursday night game. With Chris Godwin (hamstring) also sidelined 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.

OCTOBER 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

No practice reps Tuesday Watson (chest) was held out of practice Tuesday, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

First-place Bucs building confidence with winning streak

The first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers are building confidence with each victory

OCTOBER 5, 2020 • Associated Press

No participation Monday Watson (chest) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's injury report.

Impact 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).

OCTOBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Solid output in Week 4 win Watson brought in four of six targets for 40 yards in the Buccaneers' 38-31 win over the Chargers on Sunday.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

NFL Today, Week 4

NFL Today, Week 4

OCTOBER 5, 2020 • Associated Press