Eagles hosting 1,249-yard wide receiver for workout, sources say
The Philadelphia Eagles are hosting veteran wide receiver Quez Watkins for a workout, a league source tells Heavy.
Watkins, 27, spent the first three seasons of his career in Philadelphia, catching 98 passes for 1,249 yard and six touchdowns.
A former sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Watkins moved on after underachieving during his stint with the Eagles and then failed to make the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ 53-man roster out of training camp last summer.
This past offseason, Watkins spent time with the Arizona Cardinals but was ultimately released with an injury settlement earlier this summer.
The Eagles already boast a loaded receiving corps, headlined by one of the top duos in the sport, in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, with former first-round draft choice Jahan Dotson making a strong push to solidify his stronghold on the No. 3 job. Earlier this summer, general manager Howie Roseman and the Eagles acquired John Metchie in a trade with the Houston Texans.
A reunion with Watkins would be a move to further bolster the veteran depth at the position, but it remains to be seen how effective he could wind up being as he works his way back from the injury that led to his release by Arizona, back on August 10.
Eagles will need more out of A.J. Brown
In the Eagles’ regular season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, Brown was a virtual non-factor for much of the game.
Brown’s first catch against the Cowboys didn’t come until he pulled down a 37-yard completion from Jalen Hurts inside of the two minute warning, to effectively put the game out of reach as the Eagles bled out the clock to seal a victory.
“That’s something I can’t control,” Brown told reporters after the game. “But what I can control is my effort when the ball does come my way.”
One of the most prolific weapons in the sport, the Eagles are going to need Brown to become a bigger piece of the puzzle in the passing game moving forward.
According to Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, the Cowboys largely sold out to keep Brown off of the stat sheet.
“They did a good job of matching some of our routes,” Sirianni told reporters. “They did a good job of matching some things and taking away A.J. We had some different things to him that Jalen had to get through some progressions, and I think Jalen did a really nice job getting through his progressions tonight and then made some plays with his legs as well.”
Brown caught 68 passes last season for 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns, and was one of the most vitally important offensive pieces powering the Eagles’ run to the Super Bowl.
How quickly Hurts and Brown get back on the same page could determine just how explosive the Eagles’ offense can be in their quest for a third Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.
Lakers’ Defensive Concerns Grow as Offseason Scrimmages Reveal Key Weaknesses
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The Los Angeles Lakers are facing renewed scrutiny as their latest offseason scrimmages have highlighted lingering defensive issues that could shape the direction of the upcoming NBA season. Despite having a roster anchored by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, concerns are mounting over the team’s ability to stay disciplined and consistent on the defensive end.
Reports from team insiders suggest that perimeter defense continues to be a challenge, with opponents often finding too much space beyond the arc. While Davis remains a defensive anchor in the paint, the lack of cohesive rotations and communication among the supporting cast has raised red flags.
Head coach Darvin Ham has emphasized defense as a top priority, stating that “our identity starts with stops.” However, with new players being integrated into the system, chemistry remains a work in progress. Analysts argue that the Lakers must establish a defensive rhythm early in the season to avoid falling behind in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.
Another key storyline involves the team’s depth. Injuries last season exposed vulnerabilities when key starters were sidelined, forcing heavy minutes on aging stars. If the Lakers hope to contend for another championship, role players such as Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and Jarred Vanderbilt must not only contribute offensively but also elevate their defensive reliability.
LeBron, entering his 21st season, has been vocal about the need for accountability, both individually and collectively. “We all have to commit,” James reportedly said after a recent scrimmage, “because defense wins games in May and June, not just October.”
With the Western Conference stacked with offensive firepower—from the reigning champion Denver Nuggets to the surging Golden State Warriors—the Lakers’ margin for error is slim. The franchise has proven time and again that talent alone won’t guarantee success. Their upcoming training sessions and preseason matchups will be critical in determining whether these defensive flaws are growing pains—or a fundamental issue that could derail their title hopes.
For the Lakers, the message is clear: if defense isn’t fixed now, it could cost them when it matters most.
