BALTIMORE — The Ravens have reunited with Sammy Watkins, claiming the veteran wide receiver off waivers Tuesday as they look to bolster a limited passing game.
The move came just hours after starting wide receiver Devin Duvernay left practice early with a foot injury. Joined by a staff member, he limped off the field just after special teams drills ended. It was unclear how the injury might have occurred.
Watkins, 29, had 13 catches on 22 targets for 206 yards in nine games (three starts) this season for the Green Bay Packers. He was released Monday and placed on waivers.
Watkins signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Ravens before the 2021 season, finishing with 27 catches for 394 yards and a touchdown. Injuries have limited him in recent years; Watkins had 102 receiving yards after returning from a hamstring injury that sent him to injured reserve in the middle of last season. This season, he missed four Packers games with a hamstring injury he suffered in September, after which he had just 96 receiving yards.
Duvernay has career highs in catches (37), receiving yards (407) and receiving touchdowns (three) this season, though his production has waned since top wide receiver Rashod Bateman suffered a season-ending foot injury in October. He’s also the team’s starting punt returner, for which he earned All-Pro honors last year, and kick returner.
If Duvernay’s out for a significant period, the Ravens could have to lean on backup quarterback Tyler Huntley to power a passing attack led by tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely and wide receivers Demarcus Robinson and DeSean Jackson. Starting quarterback Lamar Jackson missed practice again Tuesday and hasn’t practiced since before the Week 13 game in which he hurt his knee.
