Colts sign Quez Watkins to practice squad
TLDR: The Colts signed former Eagles receiver Quez Watkins to their practice squad Tuesday and released CB Elijah Culp, adding a veteran with 49 NFL games who hasn't played since 2023.
The receiver room in Indy is thin enough that the Colts went shopping on a Tuesday, and Adam Schefter had the name first.
Colts have signed WR Quez Watkins to their practice squad.
That gives the Colts a vet with real NFL snaps on his resume. They also needed a practice squad spot for him, so cornerback Elijah Culp was the one who got cut.
Colts sign WR Quez Watkins to PS, release CB Elijah Culp from PS.
You might remember Watkins from his Eagles days. Philly took him in the 6th round in 2020 out of Southern Miss, and he turned into a speedy slot option who could stretch a defense for a while. Then it dried up. Mike Chappell laid out the whole career in one tweet, and the last part is what jumps out: he last played in 2023, and he's spent the 2 years since bouncing between practice squads.
Watkins D6 by Philly in 2020. 98 catches, 1,249 yds, 6 TDs in 49 games. Last played in 2023. Spent time on Pitts/Philly PSs in 2024-2025.
98 catches for 1,249 yards and 6 touchdowns over 49 games is a real NFL career. But it's been a long time since he played in a game. According to Colts Wire, Watkins hasn't taken an offensive snap since 2023, and he's been on the Steelers', Cardinals' and Eagles' practice squads since. So this isn't the Colts finding a hidden gem. They need bodies who can line up in the slot tomorrow and know what they're doing.
That's because the depth chart is a mess. Alec Pierce is still on injured reserve and Keenan Allen sat out the London game with a groin injury, so the Colts are scraping for healthy receivers. They didn't stop at Watkins either. Aaron Wilson reported they also brought in Bryce Oliver for a workout.
#Colts sign Quez Watkins to practice squad, released Elijah Culp from practice squad, worked out Bryce Oliver
What to watch: a practice squad deal means Watkins can be elevated on game day without the Colts committing a 53-man roster spot. If Allen's groin keeps him out and Pierce stays on IR, don't be shocked if Watkins plays his first NFL snaps in almost 3 years pretty soon. And if Oliver's workout went well, he's the next phone call the next time somebody pulls up lame.
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