91 Carlos Watkins DE

Watkins signed a deal with the Cowboys on Thursday, Rob Phillips of the team's official site reports.

Watkins, who spent the past four seasons with the Texans, is coming off a 2020 campaign in which he recorded a career-high 27 tackles, two sacks and three pass breakups, while making 11 starts. The 27-year-old can play either defensive end or on the inside, with Phillips noting that the 2017 fourth-rounder could be a better fit at tackle in defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's 4-3 system.

Watkins recorded two tackles and a pass defensed in Sunday's 10-7 loss to the Browns.

Watkins started at defensive end in place of the injured Charles Omenihu (leg) and played a season-high 53 snaps. The pass breakup was the second straight week he's deflected a throw.

Watkins had two tackles and one sack in Sunday's 28-21 loss to the Steelers.

Watkins is part of a rotation at defensive end along with Charles Omenihu and P.J. Hall. Both Watkins and Omenihu recorded sacks Sunday. Watkins, a four-year veteran out of Clemson, had a season-high 34 snaps against Pittsburgh.

Watkins recorded a career-high 23 tackles along with one sack, one pass breakup and a fumble recovery across 10 regular-season games in 2019.

Watkins, a fourth-round draft pick in 2017, has provided depth along the defensive line since arriving in Houston. He was part of the crew that helped fill in when defensive end J.J. Watt was lost to a pectoral injury mid-season. This was the third time in four seasons Watt has missed significant time, so having an experienced hand with knowledge of the system has value. As such, Watkins is expected to remain with the team in 2020 for the final season of his four-year rookie deal.

Watkins (hamstring) does not have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Tennessee.

Watkins practiced Wednesday and Thursday on a limited basis before returning in full to close out the week. Accordingly, he's good to go against the Titans.

Watkins (hamstring) is officially inactive for Sunday's matchup with the Broncos.

Watkins turned in limited practice availability all week, and the issue will force him to miss a second straight game. In his stead, look for Charles Omenihu and Joel Heath to see an uptick in depth defensive line snaps for the contest.

Watkins (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Denver.

Watkins turned in limited practices each day this week. He has yet to log more than 28 snaps in any of his seven games this season.

Watkins (hamstring) is out for Sunday night's game against the Patriots, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Watkins was unable to practice at all during the week. Charles Omenihu is in line for extra playing time with Angelo Blackson (shoulder) also banged up.

Watkins (hamstring) said his injury is not as bad as first feared, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Watkins was removed from last Thursday's win over the Colts. "I'm doing good," Watkins said. "It was definitely a lot worse during the game. I just freaked myself out a little more than what it actually was. Hopefully, I'll be out there [Sunday against New England]." Watkins, who helps fill in for the injured J.J. Watt (pectoral), has 13 tackles and one sack in seven games played.

Watkins was forced out of Thursday's game against the Colts with a hamstring injury.

The third-year defensive end left during the fourth quarter, and it's unlikely he returns. Watkins notched a season-high four tackles before exiting the contest.

Watkins had two tackles, a sack and a quarterback hit in Sunday's 26-3 win over Jacksonville.

Watkins has been a depth piece on the defensive line since joining the Texans in 2017, but his role will grow with with J.J. Watt (pectoral) on the shelf for the rest of the season. The 25-year-old will be part of a crew that tries to replace Watt's production.

Watkins could be part of the rotation at nose tackle, where snaps will be available following the expected retirement of Vince Wilfork, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Watkins, selected in the fourth round (142nd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, played both nose tackle and defensive tackle at Clemson, where his quickness produced eye-popping sack totals from the interior defensive line. With the Texans, he'll be deployed as a run-stopper, meaning he'll need to add strength over the course of the summer.

The Texans selected Watkins in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, 142nd overall.

Watkins was a key member of Clemson's national title run, racking up three tackles for loss from the defensive interior in the College Football Playoff. He also showed an ability to get to the quarterback with 10.5 sacks in his final season at Clemson. Watkins will be a solid addition along the Texans' defensive line, but it will be difficult for him to replicate that same pass rush production at the next level.