The Los Angeles Rams announced they have signed defensive tackle Carlos Watkins. The seven-year veteran spent last season with the Arizona Cardinals but saw his season ended prematurely thanks to a bicep injury suffered in Week 2.
Watkins began his career with the Houston Texans, being taken in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of the University of Clemson where was a First Team All-American as a senior. He spent four seasons in Houston, but saw his best success with the Dallas Cowboys.
In two seasons with the Cowboys, Watkins totaled 58 tackles and seven tackles for loss while adding a forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one interception which was returned for the lone touchdown of his career. He got off to a strong start with the Cardinals last season with seven tackles and a sack in those first two games before the bicep injury.
Watkins should provide some valuable depth for the Rams on the interior of the defensive line. Kobie Turner, who led the team in sacks as a rookie last season, and Bobby Brown III are currently listed as the starters at defensive tackle, but the depth behind them is a bit questionable.
Second-round pick Braden Fiske could see some time on the interior and after that it’s the likes of Larell Murchison, Tyler Davis and Desjuan Johnson battling for spots in the Rams’ rotation.
In his seven-year career, Watkins has totaled 139 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits and six sacks with three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception returned for a touchdown.
Former Rams WR Tavon Austin announces retirement from NFL
Back in 2013, the Rams took dynamic wide receiver Tavon Austin out of West Virginia with their first-round draft pick. While Austin never quite became a dominant force in the NFL, he was a big part of the Rams for five seasons, totaling 24 touchdowns through the air, on the ground and as a returner.
Austin would then spend time with the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers Jacksonville Jaguars, but hasn’t been on an NFL roster since 2021. And now his career has officially come to an end as Austin took to Instagram to announce his retirement from the NFL.
Austin added in his retirement statement that, “I’d also like to thank all of the organizations, coaches, and staff that took a chance on me. I’m beyond grateful for the opportunities, and I hope you all knew that I played from the heart and gave my ALL every day, regardless of the circumstances.”
In his career, Austin totaled 3,600 yards from scrimmage and another 1,483 punt return yards with 29 touchdowns overall.
