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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins is mentally prepared to assume a larger role in the offense with A.J. Brown out for Monday’s NFL playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Speaking to reporters Saturday, Watkins recounted a conversation with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who told him, “When the phone rings, be ready to answer.”
“S–t, I’ve been ready,” he responded.
The Eagles have seen Watkins step up in a big way once already.
An ankle injury left DeVonta Smith unavailable for the regular-season finale against the New York Giants, and then Brown was lost in the first quarter. Watkins finished as Philly’s leading receiver, catching eight passes for 93 yards and a touchdown.
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It was quite the jump in production for the 25-year-old, who had one total target over the previous four weeks.
However, Watkins’ Week 18 performance and his comments Saturday may do little to ease the concerns of Eagles fans who have watched him struggle in the past.
Most memorably, the 2020 sixth-round pick couldn’t corral a deep pass by Hurts in the third quarter of Super Bowl LVII. Philly would’ve had the ball inside the 10-yard line with a chance to make it a two-score game if he had completed the catch.
NBC Sports’ Philadelphia’s Reuben Frank also outlined multiple examples of Watkins’ lack of aggression in the air helping to set up interceptions for opposing defenses.
Monday presents him with a golden opportunity to silence his skeptics.
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