Xavier Watts - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Back at practice Watts (undisclosed) returned to practice Monday, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

Impact The safety missed practice last week and Atlanta's preseason opener against Denver on Friday. His undisclosed issue, however, appears to be minor, and he should be able to resume his starting safety role now that he's back. Watts finished last season with 96 tackles (59 solo) and 11 pass breakups, including five interceptions.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Atlanta banking on Bates-Watts tandem to spark more takeaways in 2026 | Sporting News The Atlanta Falcons believe they have the NFL’s best safety tandem, and linebacker Divine Deablo isn’t afraid to say it. With Jessie Bates I...

AUGUST 9 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Xavier Watts has thrown a wrench into Falcons' plans of extending key player Xavier Watts' emergence has made the Atlanta Falcons reach a dilemma on the Jessie Bates front.

AUGUST 4 • BLOGGINGDIRTY.COM

Jack Strand, Drake London and other Atlanta Falcons speak post-practice at AT&T Training Camp Jack Strand, Drake London, Jake Matthews, Xavier Watts, Christian Harris and Kendal Daniels speak on the first few days of Atlanta Falcons A...

JULY 30 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Falcons 2026 training camp preview: Safeties Jessie Bates III, Xavier Watts considered "best safety duo in the NFL" by teammates, but let's take a look where the groups stand entering t...

JULY 20 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Falcons' safety duo continues to cement their status among the NFL's best Per ESPN, the Atlanta Falcons have two of the NFL's better safeties in Xavier Watts and Jessie Bates III.

JULY 20 • BLOGGINGDIRTY.COM

Xavier Watts is bound to become one of the NFL's scariest defenders in Year 2 The Atlanta Falcons are counting on superstar safety Xavier Watts to become an elite player in 2026.

JULY 9 • BLOGGINGDIRTY.COM

Falcons' Jessie Bates, Xavier Watts Have One Trait That Makes Them Elite Jessie Bates III and Xavier Watts rarely need words to communicate on the field, giving the Falcons one of the NFL's smartest safety tandems...

JULY 4 • SI.COM

Sitting out practice as precaution Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday at mandatory minicamp that Watts (undisclosed) is not practicing due to a small injury, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Stefanski declined to get into the specifics of Watts' injury, but he indicated that the team is simply being cautious with his health. The 2025 third-round pick emerged as a standout at safety as a rookie, suiting up for all 17 regular-season games and totaling 96 tackles (59 solo) and 11 passes defensed, including five interceptions. There are no indications that Watts' status for the start of training camp in July is of any concern.

JUNE 17 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons' Xavier Watts is another step away from becoming a household name Xavier Watts shined in his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons, but he hasn't even scratched the surface of his potential.

JUNE 16 • BLOGGINGDIRTY.COM

Atlanta's defensive ceiling depends on young playmakers stepping up | Sporting News The Falcons are confident their defense will take a step forward in 2026, but replacing veteran leaders Kaden Elliss and David Onyemata won’...

JUNE 14 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Jeff Ulbrich sent an emphatic message about Falcons' star DB duo Jeff Ulbrich just dropped a major compliment about the Atlanta Falcons' safety tandem of Jessie Bates and Xavier Watts.

JUNE 1 • BLOGGINGDIRTY.COM

49ers' pursuit of star safety can help Raheem Morris cater to his strengths Raheem Morris had success with Xavier Watts and Jessie Bates III in Atlanta, and may do the same if the San Francisco 49ers draft Emmanuel M...

APRIL 14 • NINERNOISE.COM

New NFL initiative saw just Xavier Watts capitalize on a breakout rookie season Xavier Watts was one of the best players on the Atlanta Falcons in 2025, and the NFL's performance-based play initiative made sure he was re...

MARCH 17 • BLOGGINGDIRTY.COM

Another Award for Browns: LB Carson Schwesinger Is Defensive Rookie of the Year

There were several defensive rookie standouts in 2025, but Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger stood above them all.

FEBRUARY 6 • FOX SPORTS

Another Award for Browns: LB Carson Schwesinger Is Defensive Rookie of the Year

AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Voting

FEBRUARY 6 • Associated Press

Photos | Atlanta Falcons on the Red Carpet at NFL Honors Join Bijan Robinson, A.J. Terrell Jr., James Pearce Jr., and Xavier Watts in San Francisco as they walk the red carpet at the NFL Honors awa...

FEBRUARY 6 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Matthew Stafford edges Drake Maye for the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award

Matthew Stafford edged Drake Maye for the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award on Thursday night in the closest race since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were co-winners in 2003

FEBRUARY 5 • Associated Press

2025 Rookie Class Highlights | Top plays from Atlanta Falcons defensive rookies Watch top plays from defensive rookies James Pearce Jr., Xavier Watts, Jalon Walker, and Billy Bowman Jr. in the 2025 season.

JANUARY 30 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

The case for James Pearce Jr. or Xavier Watts as AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Both of the Falcons rookies were announced as finalists for the annual award — here's why each should win.

JANUARY 23 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

2025 NFL Awards Finalists: Maye, Stafford Headline MVP Race; McCaffrey Makes History

Christian McCaffrey is the first player to be a finalist for three AP NFL awards as he was the only non-QB named a finalist for MVP.

JANUARY 22 • FOX SPORTS

2025 NFL Awards Finalists: Maye, Stafford Headline MVP Race; McCaffrey Makes History

James Pearce Jr., Xavier Watts named finalists for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year The winner of the annual honor will be announced at NFL Honors in February.

JANUARY 22 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Xavier Watts, James Pearce Jr. make PFWA All-Rookie team The two Falcons defenders were selected by the Professional Football Writers of America after standout rookie seasons

JANUARY 20 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Improved pass rush helps Falcons defensive coordinator Ulbrich stay on new coach Stefanski's staff

The Atlanta Falcons are retaining defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on new coach Kevin Stefanski’s staff

JANUARY 19 • Associated Press

The Top Offseason Goal for Every NFL Team That Missed the Playoffs

What do the 18 teams who missed the NFL playoffs need to do in order to make the postseason next year? Here's our No. 1 offseason goal for a...

JANUARY 9 • FOX SPORTS

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