Markees Watts - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Active for SNF Watts (hand) is active for Sunday night's game against the Rams.

Impact Watts hasn't played since Week 8 but will make his return to the lineup Sunday night. The 25-year-old linebacker has logged just 15 snaps on defense this season but has been a big contributor on special teams for Tampa Bay. Watts has produced six tackle (one solo), including 0.5 sacks, across eight appearances.

NOVEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Chance to play Week 12 Watts (hand) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Watts drew the questionable tag for Sunday despite being a full participant in practice all week, and he has a chance to return from a two-game absence. He has mostly served on special teams this season, but he also saw some rotational snaps at outside linebacker prior to his injury.

NOVEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out for Sunday at Buffalo Watts (hand) is out for Sunday's game against the Bills, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Watts will sit out his second straight contest in Week 11, this time because of a hand injury. His being out could potentially leave more playing time on the edge for 2024 second-rounder Chris Braswell.

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Buccaneers Officially Rule Out Four Key Players For Patriots Clash The Buccaneers will be without Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin, Haason Reddick and Markees Watts in Week 10 vs. the Patriots.

NOVEMBER 7, 2025 • NESN.COM

Out for Sunday Watts (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Patriots, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Impact The Charlotte product didn't practice all week due to a hand injury, so it's no surprise that he won't suit up for the Week 10 matchup. While Watts is sidelined, expect Chris Braswell to operate as the Buccaneers' top reserve outside linebacker.

NOVEMBER 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Taking part in OTAs Watts (knee) has been participating in the Buccaneers' offseason training activities.

Impact Watts landed on IR due to a knee injury ahead of Week 6 last season, and though he was designated to return in late November, he was never activated. The third-year linebacker is seemingly back to full health given his participation in OTAs and will have a chance to compete for a spot on the Bucs' 53-man roster. Watts played almost exclusively on special teams when healthy last season, and he'd likely do the same in 2025 if he makes the team.

JUNE 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely to be activated off IR Head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Watts (knee) is likely to remain on injured reserve for the rest of the 2024 season, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Impact Watts' 21-day window to return from injured reserve opened Nov. 27, but it appears there isn't room on the 53-man roster for the 25-year-old linebacker. As such, Watts will be forced to remain on the Buccaneers' IR for the rest of the 2024 season, including the playoffs should Tampa Bay qualify. Should that be the case, Watts will end his 2024 campaign with zero tackles across five regular-season games.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely to be activated off IR Head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Watts (knee) is likely to remain on injured reserve for the rest of the 2024 season, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not returning to action Week 15 Watts (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's battle against the Chargers, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Watts has been on IR since early October, though he was designated to return Nov. 27. His 21-day practice window closes this coming Tuesday, so Tampa Bay will need to either activate him by then or lose him for the remainder of the campaign. Watts was able to log a trio of full practices this week, so he at least appears to be making progress toward a return.

DECEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return from IR for Week 14 Watts (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Philadelphia, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Watts opened the week with consecutive full practices, but it appears he has not progressed enough in his recovery from a knee injury to be activated off IR ahead of Sunday's contest. Watts' next chance to play will be Week 15 against the Chargers on Sunday, Dec. 15.

DECEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Designated to return Watts (quadriceps) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact The Charlotte product failed to record a stat across the Buccaneers' first five games this season before being placed on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury. Watts returned to practice without any limitations Wednesday, suggesting that he could play as soon as the Bucs' Week 13 matchup against the Panthers. However, he must still be activated to the active roster before suiting up Sunday.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Goes on IR Watts (quadriceps) was placed on injured reserve Monday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Watts has appeared in all five games this season for Tampa Bay, working primarily on special teams. However, he'll now be sidelined for several weeks after suffering a quadriceps tear in Thursday's loss to the Falcons.

OCTOBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

OLB Markees Watts Chases Consistency in Craft Second-year player Markees Watts spoke on his mantra, eliminating mental errors and emphasizing what works in his pass rush toolbelt

AUGUST 19, 2024 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Markees Watts on His Desire to Make An Impact | Press Conference Tampa Bay Buccaneers Outside Linebacker Markees Watts spoke to the media after Monday's 2024 Training Camp practice. Watts discussed the imp...

AUGUST 19, 2024 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Markees Watts Gets In Backfield, Brings Down QB | Bucs vs. Jaguars Highlights Tampa Bay Buccaneers Outside Linebacker Markees Watts wins at the line of scrimmage and gets a sack on QB C.J. Beathard against the Jacksonv...

AUGUST 19, 2024 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Buccaneers-Eagles Live Game Updates: Bucs Inactives Released - Bucs Inactives: WR Rakim Jarrett, RB Patrick Laird, OLB Jose Ramirez, LB J.J. Russell, T Brandon Walton, OLB Markees Watts, QB John Wolfor...

JANUARY 16, 2024 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

JANUARY 16, 2024 • KANSASCITY.COM

JANUARY 16, 2024 • SACBEE.COM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Markees Watts Giving Offensive Line 'Fits' in Practice Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Markees Watts is making a name for himself, and coach Todd Bowles is taking notice.

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 • SUNHERALD.COM

Markees Watts on Making the Roster as an UDFA | Press Conference OLB Markees Watts spoke to the media on Thursday. The rookie discussed making the team after being an undrafted free agent.

AUGUST 31, 2023 • BUCCANEERS.COM

OLB Markees Watts: "The Chip on my Shoulder Just Got Larger" From going undrafted and unsigned to making the final 53-man roster, Bucs outside linebacker Markees Watts has continued to defy the odds st...

AUGUST 31, 2023 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Meet the post-Tom Brady Bucs, with rookies all over the roster

Here's a sneak peek at the Bucs' first roster following the Brady era, featuring 13 rookies, including six undrafted rookies.

AUGUST 29, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Meet the post-Tom Brady Bucs, with rookies all over the roster

Markees Watts was passed over by every team. The edge rusher is blowing the Bucs away

Markees Watts wasn't drafted. He wasn't even one of the 400+ undrafted free agents. He finally landed with the Bucs — and has been one of th...

AUGUST 23, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Markees Watts was passed over by every team. The edge rusher is blowing the Bucs away

Bucs rookie Markees Watts one of PFF's highest-graded rookies after Week 1 of preseason Watts was the No. 5 rookie across all of PFF’s Week 1 grades for preseason.

AUGUST 17, 2023 • USATODAY.COM

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Meet the post-Tom Brady Bucs, with rookies all over the roster

Markees Watts was passed over by every team. The edge rusher is blowing the Bucs away