Justin Watson returns to Chiefs practice squad after Thornton injury
Key takeaways
- The Chiefs signed Justin Watson to the practice squad on Monday, October 12, after Tyquan Thornton went on injured reserve with a dislocated ankle.
- Watson, 30, played for Kansas City from 2022 to 2024, catching 64 passes for 1,064 yards and seven touchdowns.
- Thornton could miss 12 to 16 weeks, per reports. The Chiefs also remain without Rashee Rice, who has a hamstring injury.
The Kansas City Chiefs signed wide receiver Justin Watson to the practice squad on Monday. Head coach Andy Reid announced the move right after the team's bye week. It came as fellow receiver Tyquan Thornton was placed on injured reserve.
This is a homecoming. Watson already knows the Chiefs' offense and its star quarterback. He played in Kansas City from 2022 to 2024. Now he is back to fill a gap caused by injuries.
What happened
Reid confirmed the signing during his Monday media call. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport first reported the move, according to Bleacher Report.
To make room, the Chiefs placed Tyquan Thornton on injured reserve. Thornton dislocated his ankle in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The injury happened in the fourth quarter of Kansas City's 30-27 win.
Thornton is expected to miss 12 to 16 weeks, Sports Illustrated reported. That likely ends his season. The Chiefs also elevated linebacker Cam Jones to the active 53-man roster from the practice squad.
Injured reserve is a list for players who cannot play for a long time. They do not count against the roster limit. The practice squad is a group of reserve players.
They train with the team but do not suit up on game day. A practice squad player can be moved up for up to three games, per Sports Illustrated. After that, the team must sign him to the active roster or keep him down.
Who Justin Watson is
Watson is 30 years old. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 215 pounds. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds before the NFL draft.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked him in the fifth round of the 2018 draft. He joined the Chiefs as a free agent in 2022. Over three seasons in Kansas City, he played 50 regular-season games and started 20.
His numbers were solid for a supporting receiver. Watson caught 64 passes on 119 targets for 1,064 yards and seven touchdowns, per Sports Illustrated. He averaged 16.6 yards per catch.
Many of his grabs came deep down the field. His average depth of target was 17.2 yards.
He also won a pair of championships in Kansas City's back-to-back Super Bowl run. Watson then signed with the Houston Texans in 2025. That stay was short.
He played in two to three games and caught three passes for 30 yards. A calf and Achilles injury put him on injured reserve. He failed to make the Texans' roster in 2026, according to Athlon Sports.
Reid praised his old player on Monday. "He was a good player for us when he was here," Reid said, per Arrowhead Pride. The coach pointed to Watson's speed, size, and knowledge of the offense.
Why it matters
Thornton's injury leaves a big hole. He had just played the best game of his career. Against the Raiders, he caught five passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
He was becoming the Chiefs' main deep threat.
The receiver room is thin beyond that. Rashee Rice is nursing a hamstring injury, Bleacher Report noted. His practice status is a key question this week.
Young receivers like Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals, and rookie Cyrus Allen may see bigger roles.
Watson brings trust, not speed. Locked On Chiefs host Ryan Tracy said the move is about familiarity, per Athlon Sports. Watson knows the playbook and has a history with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
But he has not played a real game in more than a year. He cannot fully replace Thornton's speed right away.
NFL storylines shift fast in October. The Bills-Rams Monday night game showed how quickly momentum can swing. Tom Brady also weighed in on another big NFL debate this weekend.
Kansas City now has to manage its own shake-up.
What happens next
The Chiefs play the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Kansas City entered the bye week at 4-0. A win over a division rival would keep them perfect.
Watson will start on the practice squad. He can be elevated for game days up to three times. Reid said a short review of the offense should have him ready to go.
He could line up downfield with Mahomes again soon.
The team may not be done shopping. The Chiefs were linked to a reunion with Tyreek Hill. Hill is a free agent recovering from a major knee injury.
He is targeting a return to the NFL in November, Bleacher Report said. Talks with his camp have been mentioned. But nothing is signed.
For now, Kansas City chose continuity over a splash. Watson knows the system. The rest of the receiver room must step up.
That has to happen while Watson gets back into football shape. It was a busy weekend across leagues. The Timberwolves beat the Knicks in NBA preseason action.
Thornton's absence will test Kansas City's depth all season. If Watson can turn back the clock, the signing could pay off. Either way, the Chiefs' receiver rotation will look different from here on out.
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