The Indianapolis Colts moved to 4-5 on Sunday with a win against the Carolina Panthers, and on Monday, Indy was already looking to better the team. Ian Rapoport reported that the Colts worked out veteran receiver Sammy Watkins. Rapoport explained that Indy was in the market for a receiver at the trade deadline but didn’t acquire anyone. Now, the team could be signing Watkins.
Colts work out wide receiver Sammy Watkins
Watkins was drafted with the fourth-overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 2014 NFL Draft after a stellar career at Clemson. He stayed with Buffalo for three seasons. After 65 receptions for 982 receiving yards and six touchdowns as a rookie, he had the most productive season of his career in year two, catching 60 passes for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns.
Since then, Watkins has bounced around several teams but remained productive. He’s played for the Los Angeles Rams, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Green Bay Packers. Playing for both Green Bay and Baltimore in 2022, Watkins played in 12 games last season, catching 16 passes for 325 yards. In his career, he has 364 receptions, 5,384 yards, and 34 receiving touchdowns.
It makes sense for the Colts to explore signing a receiver because they have been thin at the position all season. Indianapolis started the year with just four receivers on the roster: Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, and Isaiah McKenzie. Juwann Winfree has now been added into the mix. Recently, though, health has become somewhat of a challenge for the group.
Josh Downs, who has been the team’s second-most productive receiver this season, is currently dealing with a knee issue. After limited practices, Downs tried playing in Week 9 but was pulled from the game early. It’s unclear if this is an issue that will keep him sidelined for multiple games, but it could be the reason why the Colts are suddenly looking for wide receiver depth.
If Indianapolis is interested in Sammy Watkins, they’ll likely make the move on Tuesday, a day after his workout with the team.