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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins has a “good chance” to be back for the team’s playoff run, according to a Monday afternoon report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Watkins left Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons with a calf injury.
#Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins suffered a calf injury yesterday, but the belief is he did not suffer a major injury, source said. He’ll likely rest next week, then have the bye. Good chance he’s back by that point.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 28, 2020
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid had already noted that the team would rest some starters this weekend against the Los Angeles Chargers after clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC. It sounds like Watkins will be included in that.
Watkins already missed five games earlier in the 2020 season due to a hamstring injury. In 10 games played, he has compiled 37 receptions for 421 yards and two touchdowns. The news effectively ends Watkins’ season at 421 yards, his lowest yardage output in three seasons as a Chief.
With Watkins set to rest against Los Angeles and then the bye week, the next time he will have to suit up is Divisional round weekend. That should provide plenty of time to rest his injured calf.
The 27-year-old is due to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.