Packers designate WR Sammy Watkins for return

With Randall Cobb likely headed to IR, the other non-rookie-contract wideout in Green Bay’s receiving corps may be coming back to the active roster. Sammy Watkins will practice Wednesday with the Packers, starting his three-week window to return from IR.

Watkins went down with a hamstring injury in Week 2, so this week represented the ninth-year veteran’s first crack at practicing. That is a good sign for the Packers and their injury-prone wideout, who could come off IR as soon as this week. Matt LaFleur stopped short of guaranteeing that will happen, however, citing conditioning, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.

On a third team in three years, Watkins signed a one-year deal worth $1.85M to join the Packers. They are his fifth NFL team. The former No. 4 overall pick has not played a full season since his rookie year and has missed at least two games in each of the past five seasons. A hamstring injury caused him to miss five games in 2020 as well. The Packers also played without rookie second-rounder Christian Watson due to a hamstring ailment this week, while Cobb was carted off due to a significant (but not season-ending) ankle issue.

Injury concerns notwithstanding, Watkins will be a welcome addition to a Green Bay receiving corps that continues to generate concern. The team is believed to be pursuing upgrades ahead of the Nov. 1 deadline. Prior to his injury, Watkins caught six passes for 111 yards. He totaled 394 yards in 13 Ravens games last season. He topped 500 during each of his first two Chiefs years and aided the 2019 Super Bowl-winning team with 288 in those playoffs.