Recently-waived rookie wide receiver Austin Watkins is back with the 49ers. San Francisco waived Watkins with an injury designation after he suffered a broken foot in the preseason opener. The injury designation means he reverts to the 49ers’ Injured Reserve list.
Watkins will have two options now that he’s on IR. First, he can opt to stay on IR all season with the 49ers. He can rehab at the facility, but he won’t be eligible to play this year because he went on the injured list before final roster cuts.
His other option is to reach an injury settlement, which would release him off the 49ers’ IR and make him an unrestricted free agent.
The 49ers signed Watkins as an undrafted free agent following this year’s draft. The University of Alabama-Birmingham alum hauled in 98 catches for 1,642 yards and nine touchdowns. He had an outside shot to make the roster, but he was likely a player the 49ers were going to try and get to the practice squad after final roster cuts. Now he’s in line to be around the club all season and then competing for a roster spot in 2022.
