Broncos RB Blake Watson Makes Camp Debut Following NFI Stint

The undrafted rookie is healed from a minor leg injury.

May 23, 2024; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson (4) and running back Blake Watson (43) during organized team activities at Centura Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports / Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos' backfield returned to full health Thursday as rookie running back Blake Watson was activated off the Non-Football Injury list and made his training camp practice debut.

Watson missed about two weeks on NFI due to a slight leg tweak.

Blake Watson makes his training camp debut today.

He tied for the third-most guaranteed money of any UDFA this year. Most for a running back.

Ran for 1,100 yards last year at Memphis. One of two FBS running backs to catch at least 50 passes.

He’ll push for a roster spot. pic.twitter.com/6LkyLhwTaI

— Henry Chisholm (@HenryChisholm) August 1, 2024

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Undrafted this past spring, the Memphis product earned a contract from the Broncos — including a sizable $275,000 guarantee — following an impressive 2023 campaign in which he set career highs across the board: rushing yards (1,152), yards per carry (6.0), rushing TDs (14), receptions (53), receiving yards (245), and receiving scores (3).

The 5-foot-9, 195-pound back is a two-way threat, showcasing ability as a patient runner and a smooth pass-catcher. The latter quality "attracted" Denver to Watson, whom head coach Sean Payton loosely compared to his former Saints pupil, five-time Pro Bowl RB Alvin Kamara.

"Look, we use that ‘joker’ term a little bit. That was one of the traits though that stood out," Payton said in June. "He was one of those guys again in the seventh round, sixth round, but we saw a player that was natural catching the ball. That was a big draw. When we read a player, that was a draw to his vision. What’s the vision? So now we’re learning more about him. I’m not making the comparison, but when [the Saints] drafted Kamara, we saw that vision, but we didn’t realize the other things in the running game. The first handoff in the preseason I think against the Chargers, he went 52 yards for a touchdown. And we were like, ‘Man, we can hand the ball off to him.’ But if you asked me the traits that attracted us to Blake, it was certainly that that we saw in the passing game, and you saw pretty good football IQ too."

Already behind the proverbial eight ball, Watson will look to carve out touches in a crowded Broncos backfield, likely competing with Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie for the No. 4 job behind Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, and fellow rookie Audric Estime.

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