The Patriots received a roster exemption for tight end Benjamin Watson, but since he wasn't activated for Sunday's game, the team has until Monday afternoon to either add him to the roster or release him.
Last week at this time many looked at the 38-year-old as a player who could help the offense, especially considering the tight ends entered Sunday with only four total catches on the year, but a week later, things are looking a bit different.
Now, signs are pointing towards the veteran not being activated to the roster and thus becoming a free agent as of Monday.
The biggest sign was the fact he wasn't active for Sunday's game against the Redskins.
The team entered the game with Ryan Izzo and Matt LaCosse at the tight end position, and clearly if the team believed in Watson and what he can bring, he would played in the game. Health isn't an issue, as he's been cleared from the concussion he suffered in the preseason. It seems like for whatever reason the team isn't comfortable enough with putting him on the field.
While not being active for Sunday's game was the biggest sign of him likely being released Monday, him not being on the field at the start of last Wednesday's session was another.
It indicated something just wasn't right since that was the first practice he was eligible for following his four-game suspension, and wouldn't you think he'd be the first player on the field and chomping at the bit to get back on the field? Wouldn't one imagine the team would be eager to work with him again after not having him around for four weeks and make sure he was on the field Wednesday? While he was out there Thursday and Friday, it doesn't dismiss the fact he wasn't on Wednesday.
It's also worth noting the way Bill Belichick has answered questions regarding Watson.
"Well, we'll have to work him back in there and see how it goes. I don't know," he said when asked about him last week.
Watson was around all summer and Belichick drafted him in the first round of the 2004 draft -- he knows what kind of player he is. This isn't a random free agent the team just brought in. Another sign that something is up and he may not be activated after all.
With Izzo and LaCosse combining for three catches Sunday, bringing their season total to seven, perhaps the team could see the huge hole at the position and have no choice but to activate Watson, but given all the signs in recent days, it seems like he will not have a role with the team after all.
