Kansas City Chiefs Sign Justin Watson Amidst Receiving Corps Injuries
The Super Bowl-winning wide receiver returns to Kansas City's practice squad as the team faces multiple setbacks at the position.
The Kansas City Chiefs have re-signed wide receiver Justin Watson, a three-time Super Bowl champion, to their practice squad. Head coach Andy Reid confirmed the move on Monday, citing the team's need for reinforcements due to injuries within the receiving corps.
Watson, 30, previously played for the Chiefs from 2022 to 2024 after joining from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who drafted him in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. During his tenure with Kansas City, he recorded 64 catches for 1,064 yards and seven touchdowns in 50 regular season games. He was part of the Chiefs teams that won back-to-back Super Bowls in 2023 and 2024. Watson also secured a Super Bowl title with the Buccaneers in 2021.
Last season, Watson played for the Houston Texans before becoming a free agent. He was released by the Texans at the end of August.
His return comes as the Chiefs are grappling with injuries at the wide receiver position. Tyquan Thornton was placed on injured reserve after suffering a dislocated ankle in Week 4, a move Reid confirmed would likely happen.
"I will tell you that Tyquan is most likely going on IR here," Reid stated. "We'd elevate Cam Jones. We also signed Justin Watson to the practice squad, so those are the immediate updates."
The signing of Watson occurs amidst speculation that the Chiefs might pursue a reunion with another former wide receiver, Tyreek Hill. Hill has been recovering from a severe knee injury sustained last season and is reportedly in discussions with several NFL teams about a potential comeback. His agent has indicated expectations of him signing with a team.
However, recent reports indicate that Hill's potential return to the NFL has been complicated by his ongoing divorce trial. Hill was released by the Miami Dolphins after suffering a significant left-knee injury, including a dislocated kneecap, torn ACL, and multiple ligament damages, in Week 4 last season. Following successful surgery, he has been rehabilitating for a return to play.