Browns Will Reportedly Waive Preseason Star

The Cleveland Browns are releasing wide receiver Austin Watkins Jr. according to the OBR’s Brad Stainbrook.

#Browns are releasing WR Austin Watkins Jr., per a league source. pic.twitter.com/e7qf1xKv8E
— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) August 29, 2023

Watkins Jr. has been this year’s training camp darling. He was a last minute signing at the start of camp when the team announced that Marquise Goodwin would be out with his medical condition.

It was an opportunity that Watkins made the most of. He immediately impressed with his play at the Greenbrier in West Virginia, during the first leg of training camp. His impact was immediately felt in preseason games as well. He formed an early connection with Browns rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

Watkins Jr. would go on to lead the entire NFL in receiving yards during the preseason as he continued to dazzle with his knack for making difficult catches.

He will now go to the waiver wire where NFL teams will have a chance to claim him . To do so the team would need to give him a spot on their 53-man roster.

Ironically, the man who gave him his opportunity to begin with will also seal his fate for now. Goodwin was cleared to return this week and will be ready for the season opener. With his return, it made the numbers in the receiver room unworkable to maintain him. I’d assume the Browns would like to have him join the practice squad if he goes unclaimed. We will be sure to keep you posted as more roster decisions are reported throughout the day.