The Eagles activated Ques Watkins’ 21-day practice period on Wednesday afternoon, so the receiver’s return could be nearing.
Watkins, 25, has been on IR since Oct. 14 with a hamstring injury. He has missed the past five games on IR and missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury.
The Eagles have 21 days to make a decision after Watkins begins his practice period. Either add him to the 53-man roster or shut him down for the season.
In recent weeks, Watkins has been seen catching passes from the JUGS machine and stretching with his teammates during side field practices. It was clear he was getting close to returning to practice.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the 2023 season didn’t go as planned for Watkins, who was hoping for a comeback. He appeared in just three games and had four catches for 21 yards.
But when he was healthy early in the season, Watkins was clearly the No. 3 receiver in the Eagles’ starting lineup along with AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith. And even with Olamide Zacheas, Julio Jones and Britten Covey on the roster, Watkins could still be the best bet at WR3.
Neither Zakaius nor Jones have solidified themselves as clear No. 3 options, but Jones played a season-high 32 snaps against the Chiefs and is a Hall of Famer.
The Eagles drafted Watkins in the sixth round of the 2020 draft out of Southern Mississippi State, and he had a great second season in 2021. In Nick Sirianni’s first year as the Eagles’ head coach, Watkins had 43 catches for 647 yards. However, last year ended in disappointment, with them losing in the Super Bowl.
This year is the final year of Watkins’ four-year rookie contract.
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