The Kansas City Chiefs signed wide receiver Justin Watson to their practice squad on Monday and placed Tyquan Thornton on injured reserve, adding depth to a receiver room that has been short-handed since Week 4.
Head coach Andy Reid announced the Watson signing as the 4-0 Chiefs returned from their bye. Thornton’s move to injured reserve had been expected since he dislocated his left ankle in the 30-27 win at Las Vegas on October 4. Reports at the time put his recovery at three to four months, which leaves a late-season return as the best case. The team also moved linebacker Cam Jones up from the practice squad.
#Chiefs sign Justin Watson to practice squad, elevated Cam Jones from practice squad, placed Tyquan Thornton on IR
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 12, 2026
A familiar face for Patrick Mahomes
Watson spent three seasons in Kansas City, from 2022 through 2024, and was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams. Across 50 regular-season games for the Chiefs he caught 64 passes for 1,064 yards and seven touchdowns, mostly as a deep option. He signed with Houston in 2025 and had been a free agent since he was cut at the end of August.
Reid said the club was confident Watson could step back into the offense quickly. “We felt like he could come back in and, as needed, contribute,” the coach said on his Monday video call. On a practice squad contract, Watson can be called up for game days without taking a spot on the 53-man roster.
Reid also praised Thornton, saying “Tyquan was doing a tremendous job” before the injury, and suggested rookie Cyrus Allen could see more work in the rotation.
The #Chiefs are adding a familiar face, as WR Justin Watson is joining their practice squad, source says.
He was with them from 2022-2024. pic.twitter.com/RDrW0lGCcs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 12, 2026
The receiver picture
Thornton had been settling in as the third option behind Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. Rice also came out of the Las Vegas game with a hamstring injury, and his status for this week has not been settled. The search for a bigger addition may not be over: the club had been linked to a reunion with Tyreek Hill before choosing Watson, and nothing on that front has been confirmed.
What comes next
The Chiefs host the winless Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, October 18, at 4:25 p.m. EDT at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, then visit Seattle on Sunday night, October 25. Kansas City’s moves are listed on the WhyNFL transactions page.
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