Who Should I Start? Justin Watson or Xavier Smith

Wednesday, December 10, 5:03 PM

The Houston Texans have opened the practice windows for tight end Harrison Bryant (neck) and wide receiver Justin Watson (Achilles, calf). Bryant and Watson both returned to practice on Wednesday and could suit up on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, depending on how they do in practice this week. The 27-year-old Bryant should slide back in alongside Cade Stover as the Texans' primary backup tight ends behind Dalton Schultz. Bryant played 25.7% of the snaps on offense and recorded two catches for seven yards on six targets over eight games before his injury. Watson played in the first two games this season before being placed on Injured Reserve. The 29-year-old had a role in the offense, playing 49.1% of the snaps and hauling in three of his four targets for 30 yards. It remains to be seen how he'll be integrated back into the offense with the emergence of rookie Jayden Higgins in recent weeks. Neither Bryant nor Watson profiles as a fantasy option worth considering in most leagues.

Saturday, August 16, 11:52 PM

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith caught all four of his targets for 48 receiving yards during Saturday's preseason victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He also rushed for five yards. Smith has been quite productive this summer. He paced the team with 55 receiving yards last week, and he now has a total of eight touches and 108 scrimmage yards through two preseason contests. NFL opportunities have been few and far between for the 27-year-old Florida A&M product, but he did total six receiving yards, 36 rushing yards, and a pair of first downs in 2024. Los Angeles' first four wide receiver spots are essentially locked up, which means they only have two or three spots to divide over seven remaining receivers (Smith, Tru Edwards, Mario Williams, Konata Mumpfield, Drake Stoops, Britain Covey, and Brennan Presley).