As it turns out, veteran wide receiver Quez Watkins will start the 2024 NFL season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers announced on their official X (formerly Twitter) account on August 30 that they have signed Watkins to their practice squad.
Watkins is back with the Steelers after spending the 2024 offseason with the team. During the preseason, he posted 1 catch for 10 yards.
The Steelers then cut him ahead of the 53-man roster deadline on August 27.
A sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, Watkins has registered 98 catches for 1,249 yards and 6 touchdowns in 49 career games.
Steelers Sign WR Quez Watkins to Practice Squad
Watkins was one of a few receivers around 25 years old the Steelers added to their 90-man roster early in the offseason. Over the summer, Watkins competed for the opportunity to start for the Steelers opposite WR1 George Pickens.
But fellow veteran wideout Van Jefferson earned that role. Furthermore, veteran Scotty Miller along with third-year receiver Calvin Austin III and rookie Roman Wilson earned the other receiver spots on Pittsburgh’s active roster.
That made Watkins one of the odd men out at wideout.
But Watkins will return to Pittsburgh as one of three receivers the team will have on its practice squad. On August 30, the Steelers also officially signed wideouts Brandon Johnson and Ben Skowronek to their practice squad.
Including those three receivers, the Steelers added eight players to the squad on August 30. They signed eight players to their practice squad the day prior as well, which means the team has reached the 16 player practice squad maximum.
How Watkins Could Make an Impact for the Steelers From the Practice Squad
Under the new NFL rules adopted in 2020, Watkins doesn’t have to simply wait for an injury to make an impact for the Steelers.
Practice squad players can be elevated as many as three times during the regular season. So, theoretically, despite getting released on roster cutdown day, Watkins could still dress for the Steelers in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Each team can elevate up to two practice squad players per game. NFL teams can also sign players from their practice squad to the active roster at any time.
To play in a fourth game, a practice squad player would have to join the team’s official 53-man roster.
As an elevated player, Watkins could be a key addition in the slot for the Steelers offense. Wilson is expected to play that role this season, but he dealt with an ankle injury during training camp and the preseason. Therefore, the rookie might not be ready to contribute immediately in Week 1.
Watkins played 36 of his 60 preseason snaps in the slot for Pittsburgh. Last season, he played roughly 64% of his offensive snaps in the slot.
Prior to this offseason, Watkins had spent his entire NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles. He took the league a bit by storm in his first two seasons, averaging more than 15 yards per catch.
But last year, he averaged just 9.5 yards per reception with 15 catches and 142 receiving yards.
His best statistical season came in 2021 when he registered 43 receptions for 647 yards with 1 touchdown. During that season, he played about 68% of his offensive snaps in the slot.
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