Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for Sammy Watkins with the Green Bay Packers.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Packers are releasing Watkins ahead of their Week 15 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.
Watkins’ best performance for the Packers came back in Week 2 when he caught three passes for 93 yards against the Chicago Bears.
However, Watkins hasn’t offered much on offense since that game.
After the win over the Bears, Watkins missed four games due to injury. Since returning, he hasn’t made much of an impact.
Since returning from injury in Week 7, Watkins has made just seven receptions for 95 yards. He hasn’t made a catch since the win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10.
Watkins’ time in Green Bay comes to an end after just nine games. He finishes with a career-low 206 yards and no touchdowns from 13 receptions.
The veteran wide receiver will now hit waivers, giving other teams an opportunity to put in a claim. If Watkins clears waivers, he will become a free agent and be able to sign with any team.
Watkins’ release likely confirms that Romeo Doubs will return from injury tonight against the Los Angeles Rams. Doubs has been out since Week 9 but was removed from the injury report on Saturday, indicating that he will play.
Watkins’ snap counts had already dropped dramatically in recent weeks, especially since Christian Watson’s breakout performance against the Cowboys last month.
With Watson, Doubs, Allen Lazard, and Randall Cobb all available, few opportunities would be there for Watkins to get regular snaps on offense.
With the Packers moving on, he gets an opportunity to find a new team ahead of the final few weeks of the regular season.
The Packers hoped Watkins could become a key contributor on offense this season. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for the former first-round pick.