Report: Former Patriots TE To Miss NFC Championship

New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson will not play in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams, as reported by latest reports.

ESPN’s Katherine Terrell reported that the veteran will not suit up for the NFC Championship Game as he missed two practices due to an “illness.” However, he is probably dealing with appendicitis.

Watson will miss the NFC Championship Game

“While he’s been able to avoid surgery so far, the team decided he’ll be inactive,” the report read.

Ian Rapoport from the NFL Media explained that if the veteran avoids surgery, “he should be ready for the Super Bowl in what would be his final game.”

Watson has already confirmed his decision to retire after the 2018-19 season. His decision did not came as a surprise.

Without the veteran on the field, the Saints will have to rely on Josh Hill and Dan Arnold. Hill got a contract extension in the regular season.

The veteran tight end joined the team in the offseason as a free agent. He was hoping to enjoy his final Super Bowl run before retiring. This is Watson’s second tenure with the team.

In his three seasons with the Saints in the period between 2013 to 2015, the tight end caught 113 passes for 1,187 yards and scored 10 touchdowns from Drew Brees. This season, he was ranked fourth on the organization with 400 receiving yards off 35 catches against 45 targets and a couple of touchdowns. One of these is Brees’ 500^th career scoring pass.

The veteran is playing his 15^th season after he was selected in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft out of the University of Georgia by the Patriots. He played six seasons with the team, and was successful in catching 167 passes for 2,102 yards and 20 touchdowns.