Who Should I Start? Quez Watkins or Xavier Hutchinson

Sunday, August 3, 11:28 PM

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Quez Watkins (undisclosed) has been placed on injured reserve. The 27-year-old left Friday's practice with an injury and did not return. Watkins, who began his career in 2020 with the Eagles, compiled a stat line of 98 receptions, 1,249 yards, and six touchdowns over four seasons, with his 2021 season being his most productive. His placement on IR is not expected to have any fantasy relevance, as he was far down the depth chart and looking to secure a roster spot on his new team. In a corresponding move, the Cardinals signed wide receiver Nate McCollum.

Thursday, August 28, 7:44 PM

Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson has looked like the team's No. 3 in camp behind Nico Collins and Christian Kirk, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle observes. Alexander pegs rookie second-round pick Jayden Higgins at No. 4 and rookie third-rounder Jaylin Noel fifth in the pecking order. Hutchinson - who, like Higgins and Noel, went to Iowa State - was a sixth-round selection in 2023. The 25-year-old caught just 20 passes for 207 yards and no touchdowns over 32 games in his first two seasons. Despite that, Alexander reports that Hutchinson worked hard in the offseason to get better and has "quickly become one of C.J. Stroud's go-to targets and looks much improved from a season ago." That doesn't mean it'll translate during the regular season, but for now, it seems possible that Higgins and Noel could take a backseat to Hutchinson to begin the campaign.