New Practice Squad Signing Could Give Patrick Mahomes a Veteran Target Amid Receiver Injuries

The Kansas City Chiefs have brought back Justin Watson to their practice squad as injuries affect their wide receiver group. Watson knows the Chiefs’ offense from his previous time with the team and gives them another wide receiver option while Thornton and Rice deal with injuries. Chiefs manage injuries with Justin Watson’s return After the bye week, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed on October 12 that the team had signed Justin Watson to its practice squad. NFL insider Adam Schefter had also reported the move on social media. Schefter wrote , “Chiefs are signing their former WR Justin Watson to their practice squad.” Tyquan Thornton dislocated his ankle during the Chiefs’ Week 4 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He is being placed on injured reserve. Thornton suffered the injury in the fourth quarter after catching a 55-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes. Rashee Rice also suffered a hamstring injury during the first quarter of the same game and did not return. Reid said he would have a clearer update on Rice’s condition after the players returned following the bye week. With both receivers dealing with injuries, the Chiefs brought Watson back to the team. Reid later added , “We also signed (WR) Justin Watson onto the practice squad…” Reid said Watson has good speed, size and experience in different roles. The head coach also said Watson could step in and contribute if needed. Watson played three games for the Houston Texans during the 2025 season. He recorded three catches for 30 receiving yards and did not score a touchdown. Before joining Houston, Watson played for the Chiefs from 2022 through 2024. He appeared in 50 regular-season games, including 20 starts, and recorded 64 catches for 1,064 yards and seven touchdowns. Across three postseasons with the Chiefs, he added nine catches for 120 yards and was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams. After his time with the Texans, Watson was released and became a free agent. He now rejoins the Chiefs ahead of the team’s next stretch of games. Chiefs prepare for Chargers clash The Kansas City Chiefs will face the Los Angeles Chargers on October 18 at 4:25 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs enter the matchup with a 4–0 record after winning their first four games before the bye week. The Chiefs opened the season with a 31–10 win over the Denver Broncos, followed by a 33–30 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts. They then beat the Miami Dolphins 24–10 and the Las Vegas Raiders 30–27. Patrick Mahomes has thrown for 1,037 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions this season. Running back Kenneth Walker III has recorded 537 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while Travis Kelce has 246 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Watson’s return gives Kansas City another experienced option ahead of its matchup with the Chargers. The Chiefs are preparing for their next game against the Chargers. More NFL News Kansas City Chiefs: Add Familiar Face/3x-Super Bowl Champion to the Squad Tyreek Hill’s Potential Return to Chiefs May Hinge on One Detail Fans Can’t Ignore Chiefs Linked to 4th Overall Pick With 885-Yard Rookie Season in Potential Boost for Patrick Mahomes’ Offense Travis Kelce Devastated as Chiefs WR Suffers Horrific Injury After Earning ‘Patrick Mahomes’ Trust’ The post New Practice Squad Signing Could Give Patrick Mahomes a Veteran Target Amid Receiver Injuries appeared first on Gridiron Heroics .