Josh Watson (American football)

Josh Watson (born May 20, 1996) is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Colorado State.

Josh Watson
refer to caption
Watson with the Denver Broncos in 2019
Personal information
Born: (1996-05-20) May 20, 1996
Kansas City, Missouri
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
College:Colorado State
Position:Linebacker
Undrafted:2019
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Total tackles:7
Sacks:0
Forced fumbles:0
Fumble recoveries:0
Interceptions:0
Player stats at NFL.com

Early life and high school

Watson was born in Kansas City, Missouri and grew up in Blue Springs, Missouri and attended Blue Springs South High School. As a senior, he was named first-team All-Missouri and won the Mike Jones Award as the best linebacker in MSHSAA Class 6 after setting school records for tackles in a season with 177 and tackles in a game with 31.[1]

College career

Watson was a member of the Colorado State Rams for five seasons, redshirting his true freshman year. He played in all 13 of the Rams games as a redshirt freshman, making 37 tackles (six for loss) with one sack. He became a starter the following season and finished as CSU's second leading tackler with 90 tackles along with 7.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks.[2] He finished his redshirt junior season with a team-high 109 tackles and 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and seven pass breakups and was named honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference.[3] He again led the Rams in tackles with 131, including 8.5 tackles for loss and one sack, with four passes broken up and two fumble recoveries and was named second-team All-Mountain West.[4] Watson finished his collegiate career with 367 career tackles (27 for a loss), 3.5 sacks and two interceptions in 51 games played.[5]

Professional career

Denver Broncos

Watson signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019.[6] He was waived at the end of training camp during final roster cuts but was re-signed to the Broncos' practice squad on September 1, 2019.[7] The Broncos promoted Watson to the active roster on November 1.[8] He made his NFL debut on November 3, 2019 against the Cleveland Browns.

On September 5, 2020, Watson was waived by the Broncos,[9] and was signed to the practice squad the following day.[10] He was elevated to the active roster on October 1, October 17, November 14, November 21, November 28, December 5, December 12, and December 18 for the team's weeks 4, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 games against the New York Jets, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers, and Buffalo Bills, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[11][12][13][14] His eight weekly elevations were the most in the NFL in 2020.[15] He was promoted to the active roster on January 2, 2021.[15]On August 24, 2021, he was waived by the Broncos.[16] He was waived on August 24, 2021.[17]

Los Angeles Chargers

On October 5, 2021, Watson was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad. He was released on October 25.

Carolina Panthers

On November 12, 2021, Watson was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad.[18] He was released on December 16.

Houston Texans

On December 21, 2021, Watson was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad.[19] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Texans on January 11, 2022.[20] He was waived on March 23, 2022.[21]

Carolina Panthers (second stint)

On August 17, 2022, Watson signed with the Carolina Panthers.[22] He was released on August 30.[23]

Arlington Renegades

On November 17, 2022, Watson was drafted by the Arlington Renegades of the XFL.[24]

Personal life

Watson's father, Steven, played college football at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He is a cousin of Heisman Trophy winner and NFL running back Billy Sims.[3]

References
  1. Smith, Michael (May 1, 2019). "Blue Springs South grad Watson relishes chance with Broncos". The Examiner. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  2. Brohard, Mike (August 9, 2018). "Linebacker Josh Watson has grown into a leader for the Colorado State defense". Reporter-Herald. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  3. Lyell, Kelly (September 7, 2018). "CSU football's Josh Watson hopes to follow Heisman Trophy-winning cousin's path to NFL". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  4. Kurtzman, Rich (May 3, 2019). "3 undrafted college free agents Broncos fans should know". MileHighSports.com. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  5. Wakeman, Travis (May 31, 2019). "Broncos undrafted rookie spotlight: Josh Watson". Broncos Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  6. "Former CSU football players Preston Williams, Josh Watson sign with NFL teams as undrafted free agents". Fort Collins Coloradoan. April 27, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  7. Gadon, Jake (September 2, 2019). "Broncos closer to finalizing roster; begin to fill practice squad". KOAA.com. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  8. "Broncos rookie LB Josh Watson ready for "electrifying" debut". Denver Post. November 1, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  9. DiLalla, Aric (September 5, 2020). "Broncos make series of transactions to reach 53-man roster limit". DenverBroncos.com.
  10. DiLalla, Aric (September 6, 2020). "Broncos sign 15 players to practice squad". Denver Broncos. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  11. DiLalla, Aric (October 1, 2020). "Broncos elevate LB Josh Watson, T Jake Rodgers to active roster for #DENvsNYJ". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  12. DiLalla, Aric (October 17, 2020). "Broncos promote DL Sylvester Williams to active roster, release QB Blake Bortles". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  13. "Broncos activate T Elijah Wilkinson from IR to active roster". DenverBroncos.com. November 21, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  14. DiLalla, Aric (November 28, 2020). "Broncos elevate Troy Fumagalli, Josh Watson, Alijah Holder as COVID-19 Replacements for #NOvsDEN". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  15. DiLalla, Aric (January 2, 2021). "Broncos promote Josh Watson to active roster, place KJ Hamler on IR". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  16. DiLalla, Aric (August 24, 2021). "Broncos waive LB Josh Watson, WR Branden Mack". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  17. DiLalla, Aric (August 24, 2021). "Broncos waive LB Josh Watson, WR Branden Mack". DenverBroncos.com.
  18. Gantt, Darin (November 12, 2021). "Panthers place Sam Darnold on injured reserve". Panthers.com.
  19. "Houston Texans Transactions (12-21-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. December 21, 2021.
  20. "Houston Texans Transactions (1-11-2022)". HoustonTexans.com. January 11, 2022.
  21. "Houston Texans Transactions (3-23-2022)". HoustonTexans.com. March 23, 2022.
  22. Gantt, Darin (August 17, 2022). "Panthers sign linebacker Josh Watson". Panthers.com.
  23. "Panthers make transactions to get to initial 53-man roster". Panthers.com. August 30, 2022.
  24. "Rosters for all eight XFL teams: Full draft results and where Vic Beasley, Martavis Bryant landed". ESPN.com. 2022-11-18. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
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