A 25-year-old wide receiver has opted to sign a reserve/future contract with the Philadelphia Eagles instead of the Cleveland Browns. Austin Watkins, who gained attention during the 2023 preseason with the Browns, is choosing a new team, as reported by Brad Stainbrook of 247 Sports and the OBR.com. Stainbrook mentioned on January 18 that Watkins had 16 receptions, 257 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns for Cleveland during the preseason. Despite Cleveland offering him a reserve/future deal, Watkins has decided to join the Eagles, and Stainbrook had previously noted that Watkins was seriously considering returning to the Browns before making his final decision.
Austin Watkins Led Browns in Receiving During 2023 Preseason
Despite leading all Browns players in receiving during the preseason, Austin Watkins was waived before the end of August and spent the entire 2023 season on the practice squad. The Eagles are familiar with Watkins’ skills, as he had an impressive preseason game against them as a member of the Browns, recording seven receptions for 139 receiving yards and a touchdown in an 18-18 tie in August.
Before his time with the Browns, Watkins played in the USFL in the first half of 2023, winning a championship with the Birmingham Stallions and posting 16 receptions for 197 receiving yards and one touchdown during his lone season with the team. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 210 pounds, Watkins has had previous stints with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022. Despite signing with the Bucs after the 2021 season, he was released during offseason team activities.
Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2021, Watkins has not yet appeared in an NFL regular-season game. His collegiate career at UAB saw him catch 57 passes for 1,092 yards and six touchdowns during his redshirt junior season, earning him a second-team All-Conference USA selection.
Eagles Also Sign Veteran Linebacker Terrell Lewis
In addition to securing the signing of Austin Watkins, the Philadelphia Eagles have also inked a reserve/futures contract with linebacker Terrell Lewis, as reported by Mark Inabinett of Alabama.com.
Lewis had been part of the Chicago Bears during the 2023 preseason, where he showcased his skills by recording three sacks, including two that resulted in forced fumbles. However, despite his preseason performance, Lewis was released by the Bears after the roster cuts on August 28. Subsequently, he spent some time with the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad during the season before being released.
Mark Inabinett highlighted that Lewis was initially on Chicago’s 53-player active roster when the Bears trimmed down their preseason roster. Unfortunately for Lewis, the Bears had to make room for waiver claims the day after the cuts, leading to his release. Lewis then joined the Saints after a workout on September 13.
Inabinett also noted that Lewis has accumulated valuable experience in the league, playing 30 games with seven starts during his first three seasons. Throughout this period, Lewis recorded 40 tackles and six sacks. Additionally, he celebrated a Super Bowl victory at the end of the 2021 season with the Los Angeles Rams.
