The Houston Texans have officially named veteran wide receiver Justin Watson as a starter due to the season-ending injury of second-year player Jayden Higgins, who has a torn ACL. Watson, a three-time Super Bowl champion, is set to begin his second season with the Texans following a debut year affected by injuries.
Watson's position on the unofficial depth chart has garnered significant attention, especially as he is expected to line up alongside two-time Pro Bowler Nico Collins. Jeremy Beadling from Texans Today noted that while Watson's new role may not be entirely unexpected, it does raise concerns regarding his ability to secure a spot on the final 53-man roster.
The Texans recently traded for Kayshon Boutte, which adds further complexity to the receiving corps.
ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime indicated that the Texans are likely to retain six receivers, including Watson, while the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander mentioned that Watson could be at risk of being released following Boutte's acquisition. Watson's performance will be crucial as the Texans approach their last preseason game against the Panthers.
Standing at 6-foot-2, Watson may have an edge over Boutte, who is 5-foot-11, but he must show consistent productivity and stay healthy to solidify his position on the team moving forward.
