Justin Watson Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman (abdomen) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Jaguars. He's operated as Kansas City's #3 WR all year, averaging 4.3 targets per game (10% share). Hardman's absence leaves WRs Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore and Justin Watson behind JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. We're expecting a committee to replace Hardman, leaving Toney, Moore and Watson as low-floor fantasy plays. But Toney is our preference if choosing between them. Hardman has played 49% of his snaps in the slot this season. Toney was in the slot for 4 of his 9 snaps last week. Moore has played 39% of his snaps in the slot this season; Watson 40%.

Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman (abdomen) remained sidelined for Thursday's practice. HC Andy Reid described Hardman's issue as "soreness," but it certainly seems like he's in danger of missing this weekend's game vs. the Jaguars. His absence would leave #3 WR duties to some combination of Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore and Justin Watson.

Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman (heel) did not practice on Wednesday. His status for Sunday night's game vs. the Bucs is uncertain. Hardman's absence would free up snaps for WR Skyy Moore and/or WR Justin Watson.

Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster tied Travis Kelce for the target lead (8) in Sunday's loss to the Colts, tied Clyde Edwards-Helaire for the reception lead (5) and paced the team with 89 receiving yards. He remained close to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Mecole Hardman in routes: 35 for MVS, 33 for Smith-Schuster and 28 for Hardman. Valdes-Scantling drew 7 targets for the 2nd straight game, while Hardman garnered just 1. QB Patrick Mahomes spread his attempts around less than in the Week 2 win over the Chargers. With Hardman back healthy -- he was in and out of the Week 2 contest -- WR Justin Watson played just 10 snaps; Skyy Moore 8.

Chiefs starters played 1 possession in Saturday's preseason opener against the Bears. JuJu Smith-Schuster led the WRs with 11 snaps, followed by Marquez Valdes-Scantling (9), Mecole Hardman (4) and Justin Watson (1), according to Pro Football Focus. Skyy Moore did not get onto the field with that unit. We'll see how that usage pattern develops through the preseason.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes called WR Justin Watson a "pleasant surprise" after throwing to him earlier this offseason. “That dude can roll," Mahomes said. "He came down to Texas. I threw with him the first day, and I called (general manager Brett) Veach and I was like, ‘Wait, how fast is this guy?’ He was running so fast that I was late on my throws. He’s had two great days.” Watson, a former 5th-round pick of the Bucs, has only 23 catches through 4 pro seasons. But he has a nice combination of size and athleticism and finds opportunity in a reshuffling Chiefs WR corps. We'll keep an eye on him this summer.

Bucs WR Justin Watson is expected to miss 4 months after undergoing knee surgery, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Watson was placed on the active PUP list on Saturday and figures to slide to the reserve PUP list before the season starts, costing him at least the first 6 games. He was set to battle for the #4 WR job in Tampa. It'll now be Scotty Miller, Tyler Johnson and rookie Jaelon Darden fighting for that spot.

Titans WR Adam Humphries has inked a 4-year, $36 million deal with the Titans. The former undrafted free agent boosted his catch and yardage totals in each of his 4 seasons in Tampa Bay, topping out with a 76-816-5 line this past year. A pure slot receiver, Humphries is averaging just 10.6 yards per catch for his career but sports a nice 70.4% catch rate. He has a shot to finish 2nd on the 2019 Titans in targets, with nothing proven at WR behind Corey Davis and 34-year-old TE Delanie Walker returning from a fractured ankle. The Bucs, meanwhile, have now lost Humphries and DeSean Jackson today. That leaves Chris Godwin as the clear #2 and 2018 5th-rounder Justin Watson as an intriguing sleeper -- barring a major addition at the position. TE O.J. Howard should also see a rise in targets.