K.J.

Osborn

The Saints are looking to add receiver depth and hosted a trio of wideouts for tryouts Tuesday. Osborn was cut by the Commanders prior to the start of the season while the Packers let Hardman go last month. Bell was also released by the Lions last month. Between the three, the Saints signed Bell to their practice squad.

Watkins was a sixth-round pick of the Eagles back in 2020 and caught 98 passes for 1,249 yards and six touchdowns during his four-year tenure with the team. He hasn’t played a regular season snap since 2023 and has also bounced around between the Steelers and Cardinals over the last two years. If signed, Watkins wouldn’t be any more than added depth to a receiver room that is currently five players deep. In addition to Watkins, the Eagles also hosted WR K.J. Osborn and DE Isaiah Foskey for workouts.

Osborn played a significant role for the Vikings between 2021 and 2023 but has been unable to stick on a roster following short stints with the Patriots and Commanders. His veteran status makes it slightly likelier he is plucked off of waivers in the coming days but it remains no guarantee he finds his way onto an active roster for the 2025 season.

Osborn, who is entering his age 28 season, is no lock to make the roster. He was claimed off waivers by the Commanders in December 2024 and appeared in one game during the regular season, though he did not appear in any of Washington’s playoff games. He signed with the Patriots prior to the 2024 season and played in seven games. He spent his first four seasons with the Vikings, recording 15 of his 16 career touchdown receptions.

The Commanders are down two key players in Cosmi and Payne, but both players were ruled out well-before Sunday. Washington hits the road at near full-strength as they hope to continue their unprecedented run toward a Super Bowl in their first year with head coach Dan Quinn and quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Claimed off waivers from the Patriots on Dec. 11, Osborn has been active only one time as a Commander. It’s a poor sign for the 27-year-old’s NFL future he can’t break into this limited receiver group.

Osborn was added to the injury report Friday with an illness and is officially out against the Cowboys. He was merely a depth piece and his absence should not impact the Commanders’ receiving corps much. Lattimore was declared out due to a nagging hamstring issue on Friday. Martin (illness), Biadasz (ankle), Lucas (groin), and Magee (hamstring) are all also out due to injury.

The Pats signed Osborn as a depth option in the offseason. The former Viking never found a role in the offense and the team eventually waived him after Week 14. Osborn went for 1,845 yards in three years as the Vikings’ No. 3 receiver, proving his worth as a depth option on a strong passing attack. With Noah Brown likely done for the year, he should see plenty of snaps for the Commanders once he gets up to speed with the offense.

Signed to a one-year, $4 million deal this offseason, Osborn was targeted just 18 times as Kendrick Bourne took over as the main third receiver once healthy and both Kayshon Boutte and Ja’Lynn Polk pushed Osborn out of the way for playing time. He’ll likely catch on with another team ahead of the playoffs.

No real surprises here. K.J. Osborn continues to be inactive despite putting together some solid stretches for the Vikings in previous seasons.