A 25-year-old wide receiver has chosen to join with the Philadelphia Eagles over the Cleveland Browns.
Austin Watkins, who stood out for the Browns during the 2023 preseason, is choosing a new home over his previous one, according to Brad Stainbrook of 247 Sports and OBR.com. Watkins will sign a reserve/future deal with the Eagles.
“Source: WR Austin Watkins Jr, who spent the season on the #Browns practice squad, is signing a reserve/future contract with the Philadelphia #Eagles,” said Stainbrook on Thursday, January 18. “Cleveland also extended an offer. Watkins Jr. recorded 16 receptions, 257 receiving yards, and two touchdowns for Cleveland this preseason.
Stainbrook stated just hours before Watkins’ final decision that he was “seriously considering” returning to the Browns.
“Source: WR Austin Watkins Jr. was offered a reserves/future deal with Cleveland, but is currently weighing his options before making a final decision,” he tweeted. “Watkins Jr. has options elsewhere, and is seriously considering.”
Throughout the preseason, Watkins led all Browns receivers. However, he was waived during final cuts before the end of August and will spend the entire 2023 season on the practice squad.
The Eagles are well aware of Watkins’ abilities, as he recorded seven receptions for 139 receiving yards and a score in an 18-18 tie with the Browns in a preseason game in August.
Watkins spent the first half of 2023 in the United States Football League before joining Cleveland. He won a title with the Birmingham Stallions, recording 16 receptions for 197 receiving yards and one touchdown in his only season with the team.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound receiver has previously been with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022. However, he was released by the Niners before the season began and spent most of the 2021 season on the team’s practice squad. He joined with the Bucs after the 2021 season and was dismissed during offseason team workouts.
Watkins has yet to play in an NFL regular season game since joining the league as an undrafted free agent in 2021.
During his redshirt junior season at UAB, he caught 57 receptions for 1,092 yards and six touchdowns, earning second-team All-Conference USA honors.
In addition to signing Watkins, Alabama.com’s Mark Inabinett reports that the Eagles signed linebacker Terrell Lewis to a reserve/futures deal.
Lewis spent the 2023 preseason with the Chicago Bears before being released at the start of the season. He subsequently played part of the season on the New Orleans Saints practice squad before being released.
“Lewis was on Chicago’s 53-player active roster when the Bears reduced their preseason roster on Aug. 28 to meet the NFL’s regular-season limit,” writes Inabinett on Thursday, January 18. “During the preseason, Lewis earned three sacks, two of which forced fumbles. However, the day after the roster cuts, the Bears were given two players off waivers, and Lewis was one of the players released by Chicago to clear roster space for the waiver claims. Lewis signed with the Saints after working out for them on September 13.
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