GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Sammy Watkins experiment is over for the Green Bay Packers, as the veteran wide receiver has been released before the Monday night game against the Los Angeles Rams.
The move comes as rookie receiver Romeo Doubs is set to return from his ankle injury, putting the Packers receiver group back at full strength. The Packers want to see what Doubs and fellow rookie Christian Watson can do together. As a tandem, they’ve been on the field together for only 52 snaps this season. Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard are also healthy.
The Packers signed Watkins this offseason to a one-year, $1.85 million deal with the hope that he could reverse his history of injuries and revive a once-promising career. He was their only veteran signing after they traded away Davante Adams in March. But after two games, the 2014 first-round draft pick sustained a hamstring injury and went on injured reserve.
Watkins, 29, had only 13 catches for 206 yards and no touchdowns this season.
In a corresponding move, Green Bay signed running back Patrick Taylor.