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Colts Add Veteran Wide Receiver Quez Watkins to Practice Squad
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Move: Signing Quez Watkins
The Indianapolis Colts announced a roster change ahead of Week 5, signing former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins to the practice squad and releasing cornerback Elijah Culp. Watkins, a 6-foot, 193-pound receiver drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, has appeared in 49 career games (25 starts) and recorded six touchdowns. The move bolsters a receiver room that has been depleted by injuries.
Context: Injuries Creating Depth Pressure
The Colts entered the week with multiple wide-receiver setbacks. Alec Pierce remains on injured reserve after an ankle injury, Keenan Allen missed the London game with a groin issue, and Darius Slayton has yet to make his debut. The practice-squad signing gives the coaching staff an additional option should any of the active receivers remain unavailable.
Watkins’ Career Overview
Watkins brings four seasons of NFL experience. Reported career totals vary across sources:
- One source lists 98 receptions for 1,249 yards and six touchdowns in 49 games.
- Another source records 104 catches for 1,304 yards and six touchdowns over the same span.
Both accounts agree that Watkins last appeared in a regular-season game in 2023 with the Eagles and has spent the 2024-2025 seasons on the practice squads of Pittsburgh, Arizona and Philadelphia.
Official Team Response
The Colts’ official statement confirmed the addition of Watkins and the release of Culp, emphasizing that the signing “boosts wide-receiver depth” as the team navigates the injuries to Pierce, Allen and others. No further commentary on Watkins’ expected role was provided.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The discrepancy in Watkins’ career statistics illustrates a gap in publicly available data. While the Colts’ own roster page cites 98 receptions for 1,249 yards, a separate team-affiliated report lists 104 receptions for 1,304 yards. Neither source clarifies the cause of the difference, leaving the exact totals uncertain.
Impact and Outlook
Adding Watkins gives Indianapolis a veteran presence familiar with playoff-team environments. If he impresses in practice, he could be elevated to the active roster, providing a reliable slot-receiver option for quarterback Daniel Jones, who has struggled with turnovers early in the season. The move also reflects general-manager Chris Ballard’s strategy of filling roster holes with low-risk, experienced players rather than pursuing high-profile free agents. How quickly Watkins transitions from the practice squad to game action will depend on the health of the existing receivers and his performance in practice.