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Top Jaylen Watkins News
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Chargers' Jaylen Watkins: Inks deal with active roster
The Chargers signed Watkins to the active roster Friday.
With Jahleel Addae (calf) and Rayshawn Jenkins (ankle) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Watkins will add depth at safety and may handle a decent workload. Watkins has played two games for the Chargers this year, logging 87 snaps on defense and six solo tackles.
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Jaylen Watkins: Let go by Texans
Watkins was released by the Texans on Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
It's a bit surprising to see the Texans cut Watkins just a couple months into a two-year, $3 million contract, but it might be good news for the 28-year-old considering his former team, the Chargers, could be in need of safety help after the season-ending injury to Derwin James (knee). Watkins' versatility as a special teams player and flexible secondary member will likely afford him a contract with another team in the near future.
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Texans' Jaylen Watkins: Joins Houston
The Texans signed Watkins to a two-year, $3 million contract Friday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Watkins played a depth role in the Chargers' secondary in 2019, and he was serviceable when thrust into the starting lineup from Weeks 9-11 due to injuries. The veteran safety also possesses some upside -- albeit limited -- on special teams.
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Chargers' Jaylen Watkins: Tallies 20 tackles in three starts
Watkins posted 29 tackles (20 solo) and a pass deflection in 2019.
Due to a litany of injuries at safety, Watkins was forced to start Weeks 9-11, recording 20 of his 29 tackles over the three-week span. Merely a depth option in the secondary, it's unclear whether the Chargers will bring the unrestricted free agent back this offseason.
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Chargers' Jaylen Watkins: Double-digit tackles
Watkins finished Monday's 24-17 loss to Kansas City with 11 tackles.
Watkins' stat line against the Chiefs included 11 tackles, but nothing else. The 27-year-old remains without a sack or interception in 2019, but Watkins continues to see his role increase with the Chargers as the weeks go by. On Monday, Watkins played 65 snaps on defense, a season high.
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Chargers' Jaylen Watkins: Re-ups with Chargers
Watkins signed a contract with the Chargers on Monday, MyNewsLa.com reports.
It was initially a bit of a surprise when Los Angeles cut Watkins, considering the placement of standout strong safety Derwin James (foot) on injured reserve. Now back with the team, the 27-year-old is expected to help shoulder the load in place of the injured James, who underwent successful surgery Aug. 22 and will be eligible to return to game action in Week 9.
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Jaylen Watkins: Surprisingly cut
Watkins was released by the Chargers on Saturday, Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports.
This one was a bit surprising, as Watkins was expected to play a significant role as the team looked to replace Derwin James (foot). Instead, 2019 second-round pick Nasir Adderley will shoulder the extra snaps, although it's possible Watkins could end up re-signing if the team needs depth in the secondary down the road.
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Chargers' Jaylen Watkins: Active in preseason contest
Watkins (knee) did not record a tackle in Saturday's preseason loss to the Seahawks.
Watkins missed a handful of practices during training camp with a knee injury, but the team has essentially allowed for the veteran safety to have routine maintenance-related time off. The 25-year-old is expected to be a major part of the team's secondary following the injury to Derwin James, who will be out for an extended period of time after undergoing surgery on his foot last week. Adrian Phillips, who slots in as the starting strong safety thanks to James' injury, likely will be the more valuable IDP option considering his expected near-the-line-of-scrimmage role, but Watkins could find his way onto the field often alongside fellow free safety Rayshawn Jenkins if Nasir Adderley (hamstring) winds up missing regular-season action.
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Chargers' Jaylen Watkins: Unable to practice
Watkins (knee) did not practice Tuesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
It sounds as if the veteran safety was simply getting a routine day off, but it's worth reiterating Watkins is embroiled in a heated battle for the starting free safety spot along with Nasir Adderley and Rayshawn Jenkins. It's entirely possible all three could see their fair share of snaps considering the Chargers propensity to utilize their secondary in many different facets, but situated alongside emerging second-year star Derwin James, the winner of the battle figures to be a potential sleeper candidate in deeper IDP formats.
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Chargers' Jaylen Watkins: Possible starting free safety
Watkins (knee) is in contention for the starting free safety job, Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports.
Watkins suffered a torn ACL during the 2018 preseason, but he's expected to be back to full health for the start of the team's offseason program. Rayshawn Jenkins likely has a leg up on the starting spot if only because he was able to play last season, but Watkins was pushing Jahleel Addae, who has since been released, for more playing time before suffering the untimely injury.
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Chargers' Jaylen Watkins: Latches on for another year
Watkins (knee) signed a one-year contract extension with the Chargers on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Watkins tore his ACL during the 2018 preseason and missed the entire campaign. The Chargers will retain the 26-year-old and likely test him out in a special teams role, considering their well-stocked secondary. It's yet to be determined whether Watkins will be ready for the offseason program.
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Chargers' Jaylen Watkins: Set for MRI on Sunday
Watkins (knee) is scheduled for an MRI on Sunday, Jack Wang of The Press-Enterprise reports.
Watkins is battling for snaps with the Chargers, but he'll likely settle for a special teams role if he makes the 53-man roster. A serious injury would derail those plans altogether, though. The results of his evaluation should be available in the next day or two.
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Chargers' Jaylen Watkins: Diagnosed with torn ACL
Watkins suffered a torn ACL on Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Following this diagnosis, Watkins was officially placed on injured reserve on Sunday, according to Adam Caplan of SiriusXM Radio. It's a disappointing outcome for Watkins, who was in the process of battling for a spot on the Chargers' final roster this preseason.
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Chargers' Jaylen Watkins: Injures knee, questionable to return
Watkins suffered a knee injury and is questionable to return to Saturday's preseason game against the Seahawks, Jack Wang of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
A healthy Watkins is expected to make the Chargers' final roster as one of their six cornerbacks.
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Chargers' Jaylen Watkins: Lands deal with Chargers
Watkins signed a one-year contract with the Chargers on Friday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Watkins was used sparingly by the Eagles last season, finishing with 17 tackles as a reserve secondary player. The 25-year-old is expected to perform on special teams and provide depth at cornerback and safety for Chargers.
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Eagles' Jaylen Watkins: Won't be tendered contract
The Eagles aren't planning to tender a 2018 contract to Watkins, which will make him an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
With Watkins having completed his rookie contract and now heading into his fifth season, the Eagles would have to extend a fourth-round tender in order to retain him, but the organization apparently didn't feel he was worthy of that price tag. The 25-year-old appeared in 28 games over the past two seasons, but saw nearly as many snaps (165) on special teams as he did on defense (168) in 2017. With 2017 second-round defensive back Sidney Jones back to full strength after missing nearly all of his rookie season while recovering from an Achilles injury and top special teamer Chris Maragos (knee) set to return in 2018 after an injury-shortened season, the Eagles are well equipped to compensate for Watkins' departure.
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Eagles' Jaylen Watkins: Finishes with 17 tackles
Watkins recorded 17 tackles (16 solo) in 12 games for the Eagles in 2017.
Watkins served as a reserve option in Philadelphia's secondary, and his only significant production came with seven solo tackles in the 6-0 loss to the Cowboys in Week 17. The 26-year-old enters 2018 as a restricted free agent but is far from guaranteed to return to the Eagles.
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Eagles' Jaylen Watkins: Absent from injury report
Watkins (hamstring) was not present on the Eagles' injury report Thursday.
Watkins is finally off the injury report after missing four consecutive games. The 24-year-old will likely return to his role as a reserve safety and could make significant contributions on special teams with team captain Chris Maragos (knee) placed on injured reserve.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 5-11, 194 lbs |
| Birthplace: Fort Myers, FL |
| Age: 33 |
| School: Florida |
| Experience: 6 |