Earlier this week, the Kansas City Chiefs made the decision to quickly bring aboard veteran wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin on a one-year deal shortly after he was let go by the Buffalo Bills. There is now more clarity as to why the Chiefs signed Benjamin, as it was revealed Friday morning that wideout Sammy Watkins is out with a foot injury, according to Sam Mellinger of The Kansas City Star:
Clarification: that includes the three weeks he's already missed. So he's likely out Sunday, then week-to-week after that.
— Sam Mellinger (@mellinger) December 7, 2018
NFL insider Ian Rapoport added more context to the situation:
One reason the signing of Kelvin Benjamin makes sense for the #Chiefs: WR Sammy Watkins tried to go in practice yesterday and couldn’t. His foot isn’t quite ready, and rest might be the only answer. With the playoffs looming, the best option is likely to rest until January.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2018
With #Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins (foot) likely out until the playoffs, new addition Kelvin Benjamin will get a try out of sorts. A pending free agent, he has the opportunity to make an impression over the course of a month. Could help his value in March, whether in KC or elsewhere.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2018
Watkins has missed the last couple of games due to the injury, but he clearly hasn't been making any significant progress toward returning to the field. This latest development reveals the severity of the ailment he has been dealing with for the past few weeks.
The 25-year-old joined the Chiefs on a three-year, $48 million deal last offseason via free agency with the hopes he could be a major piece to the puzzle. However, he has struggled to find his footing in the offense with a consistent role behind Pro Bowler Tyreek Hill in the passing game. Watkins last took the field in the 54-51 loss against the Los Angele Rams and has had limited availability in practice in the weeks since.
Watkins' production has been a tad below expectations with 40 catches for 519 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He was able to notch a pair 100-yard performances, but his impact in the passing game has fluctuated this season. Granted, this has been affected greatly by the lingering foot injury, but his production isn't near what his pay scale would suggest.
This latest setback now puts Sammy Watkins' status for the rest of the season up in the air and may force him to miss out on the Chiefs' playoff run.
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