14 Sammy Watkins WR

Watkins performed well in the Chiefs' offseason program, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

In the absence of Tyreek Hill, who is indefinitely suspended from team activities, it may fall on Watkins to lead the Chiefs' wide receiver group. He's no stranger to being the head of the class at his position; the 26-year-old wideout held that role with the Bills during the majority of his tenure with the team. If he can stay healthy, Watkins figures to be the primary target of Patrick Mahomes while Hill is unavailable, and Watkins has flashed the ability to be just that in the past, racking up 1,047 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2015. However, he has had issues staying healthy, playing the full 16 games just once, his rookie season back in 2014. That likely remains the biggest concern for Watkins entering 2019, but he looks to be off to a good start.

Watkins caught four of eight targets for 114 yards during Sunday's 37-31 AFC Championship Game overtime loss to the Patriots.

With Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce commanding plenty of coverage, Watkins stepped up to lead the team in receiving yardage. He broke off two gains longer than 35 yards, including one that nearly turned into a 55-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the third quarter. Watkins posted 10 catches for 176 yards over two playoff appearances, which is an improvement on the 51.9 yards per game he averaged during the regular season. He'll look to continue building his rapport with Patrick Mahomes heading into the 2019 campaign.

Watkins caught six of eight targets for 62 yards during Saturday's 31-13 win over the Colts. He lost two yards on the ground and fumbled during the contest.

What rust? After not seeing action since Week 11, the Chiefs got Watkins involved early and he didn't disappoint, nabbing a deep crosser and weaving through the Indianapolis defense for a 35-yard gain during the Chiefs' first possession. Though his production didn't really top that, including what might have been a costly fumble, Saturday reminded fans how dangerous Watkins can be when teams are forced to also account for the likes of Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. He'll need attention to be on those teammates in the AFC Championship Game as he combined for just five catches and 39 yards off of nine targets in two games against the Patriots and Chargers, Kansas City's potential opponents, this season.

Watkins (foot) is active for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Colts, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

While putting in limited work at practice this week, Watkins' right foot was heavily taped, which likely will be his reality as long as he attempts to play through the injury. His cause may not be helped by the snowy conditions in Kansas City on Saturday afternoon, along with healthy bodies (Tyreek Hill, Chris Conley and Demarcus Robinson) dotting the receiving corps. Having said that, Watkins churned out 519 yards and three touchdowns on 9.4 yards per target in his 10 appearances this season, so his game-breaking ability could be a critical wrinkle for the Chiefs offense.

Watkins (foot) is inactive for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Colts, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Watkins seemed to be trending toward his first appearance since Week 9, but the Chiefs will preserve the veteran wide receiver and his right foot with a snowy pitch at Arrowhead Stadium. The offense has plenty of healthy bodies (Tyreek Hill, Chris Conley, Demarcus Robinson and Kelvin Benjamin) dotting the receiving corps, so Watkins will wait and see if his services will be needed during the AFC championship game.

Watkins (foot) is listed as questionable, but is expected to play Saturday against the Colts according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

As always, fantasy owners will want to check Watkins' status closer to the 4:35 p.m. ET kickoff, but it seems likely the former Bills receiver will make only his second appearance since Week 9 after dealing with a back, and now foot injury, in the past couple of weeks. Watkins' output will depend largely on the amount of snaps he'll receive, as there's a distinct possibility the No. 1 seed in the AFC could limit the playing time of its No. 2 wide receiver in order to preserve him for future playoff contests.

Watkins (foot) is listed as questionable for Saturday's playoff game against the Colts after logging limited practices this week.

Per ESPN's Adam Teicher, Watkins' right foot has been heavily taped during practice this past week. The wideout played in just one game since suffering his injury back in Week 9, but it looks like he'll return to the mix Saturday -- in some capacity -- with coach Andy Reid having noted that Watkins did "good work all three days. He's looked pretty good." Assuming he suits up this weekend, Watkins would provide the Chiefs with an added pass-catching threat behind top wideout Tyreek Hill and productive tight end Travis Kelce.

Watkins (foot) remained limited at practice Wednesday.

The wideout has played in just one game since injuring his foot back in Week 9, but back-to-back limited practice sessions following the Chiefs' bye week have Watkins trending in the right direction in advance of Saturday's divisional-round playoff game against the Colts. His status will be revisited Thursday upon the release of the team's final injury report of the week.

Watkins (foot) was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday's practice report, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Watkins has played just five offensive snaps since Week 9 and hadn't practiced since Dec. 6 before Tuesday's appearance due to a right foot injury. According to Brooke Pryor of The Kansas City Star, Watkins' foot was still "heavily taped," but his ability to put in some work bodes well for a potential return Saturday versus the Colts. His progression through the remaining practices this week ultimately will determine his odds to suit up in the divisional round.

Watkins (foot) is on the field for the start of the Chiefs' practice Tuesday, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

It amounts to Watkins' first practice participation of any kind in more than a month, with the wideout's right foot injury limiting him to just one five-snap appearance over the Chiefs' final seven regular-season games. Because of his lengthy layoff, Watkins may need to register a full practice or two before the Chiefs feel fully comfortable that he'll be ready to reclaim a regular role in two- or three-receiver formations during Saturday's divisional-round matchup with the Colts. Kansas City will reveal the extent of Watkins' involvement in its first session of the week later Tuesday.

Watkins (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

With Watkins out and eying a return to the lineup when the Chiefs' postseason run begins, Chris Conley and Demarcus Robinson are once again in line to continue to see added looks in the team's Week 17 passing game behind top wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

Watkins (foot) was a non-participant at Friday's practice, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

With no activity yet this week, Watkins is trending toward a fifth absence in a row. If the preceding comes to pass, Chris Conley, Demarcus Robinson and Kelvin Benjamin stand to benefit behind top wideout Tyreek Hill.

Watkins (foot) didn't practice Thursday, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Back-to-back missed practices have Watkins trending toward being ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raiders. In the event that transpires, Chris Conley and Demarcus Robinson would be in line to continue to see added looks behind top wide receiver Tyreek Hill in Week 17.

Watkins (foot) won't practice Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of The Kansas City Star reports.

On the plus side, Watkins has shed the protective boot he was sporting on his right foot for "preventative measures." Even so, it doesn't seem especially likely that he'll see game action before the playoffs. Assuming that's the case, Chris Conley and Demarcus Robinson will continue to see added looks behind top wide receiver Tyreek Hill when the Chiefs close out the regular season Sunday against the Raiders.

Watkins (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

With Watkins still out, added snaps should be available for Chris Conley, Demarcus Robinson and Kelvin Benjamin behind top wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Since Watkins didn't practice at all this week, he's not a lock to back it back in time for the regular-season finale Dec. 30 against the Raiders.

Coach Andy Reid said that Watkins (foot) was the only Chiefs player who didn't participate in Friday's practice, Brooke Pryor of The Kansas City Star reports.

With no recorded on-field activity this week, Watkins looks on track to sit out for the fifth time in six games Sunday in Seattle. The Chiefs will provide an official designation for Watkins later Friday, but even if he garners a questionable or doubtful tag, it would be a major surprise if the wideout avoids the inactive list.

Watkins (foot) won't practice Thursday, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Watkins has one more chance to return to practice in advance of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, but he's looking pretty iffy for that contest at this stage. If he remains sidelined this weekend, Chris Conley, Demarcus Robinson and Kelvin Benjamin would be candidates to see added snaps in Week 16.

Coach Andy Reid continued to classify Watkins (foot) as day-to-day when he met with the media Wednesday, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Watkins won't practice Wednesday, and it appears unlikely he'll get any work in Thursday or Friday. With that in mind, the wideout's status for Sunday's game against the Seahawks looks shaky. If Watkins remains sidelined this weekend, added snaps would open up for Chris Conley, Demarcus Robinson and Kelvin Benjamin.

Coach Andy Reid referred to Watkins (foot) as day to day, yet also acknowledged he isn't sure when the wideout might be available, Brooke Pryor of the Kansas City Star reports. "Sammy's continuing to make progress in the right direction.," Reid said Monday. "Can't tell you exactly what his status is."

There were reports about Watkins potentially being shut down until the playoffs, but the Chiefs can no longer afford to be extra cautious with the possibility of another loss dropping them from the No. 1 seed to the No. 5 seed in the AFC. While that doesn't mean the 25-year-old wideout will be rushed back into action, it does seem the Chiefs will at least consider the idea he might be able to play in Sunday night's game at Seattle. The next hint may not come until Wednesday when the team releases its initial injury report for Week 16.

Watkins (foot) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Chargers.

Meanwhile, top wideout Tyreek Hill (heel/wrist) is listed as questionable for the contest. If Hill is unable to go, newcomer Kelvin Benjamin could factor more prominent into the Chiefs' game plan than anticipated. In any case, Chris Conley should earn plenty of snaps in Week 15, while Demarcus Robinson's profile within the Chiefs' offense would also expand if Hill is limited or out against Los Angeles.