Watson has decided to step away from the NFL as a player, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 39-year-old -- whom the Patriots drafted 32nd overall in the 2004 NFL Draft -- re-joined New England for one final season in 2019, catching 17 passes for 173 yards in 10 games. Watson finishes up his pro playing career with 547 catches for 6,058 yards and 44 TDs over the course of 205 games.

Watson relayed Friday that he suffered a torn Achilles during the 2019 season, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The tight end didn't specify when the injury occurred, but it's obviously impressive that he was able to manage his Achilles issue and remain on the field, en route to hauling in 17 of his 24 targets for 173 yards in 10 games. The 39-year-old, who the Patriots drafted in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft, previously indicated that he's likely to retire once his contract expires in March. If that's the case, he'll wrap up his pro career with 547 catches for 6,058 yards and 44 TDs over the course of 205 contests.

Watson caught three of four targets for 38 yards during Saturday's playoff loss to the Titans, but he indicated after the game he's likely to retire, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The yardage was Watson's second-highest total of the season and the first time he eclipsed 20 receiving yards since Week 13 as both offenses had their share of struggles. The 39-year-old considered retirement last offseason but ultimately returned to New England, where he had 17 catches for 173 yards in 10 games. Watson has now completed 16 NFL seasons between stints with the Patriots, Browns, Saints and Ravens.

Watson logged 31 of a possible 73 snaps on offense in Saturday's 24-17 win over the Bills, en route to catching all three of his targets for 15 yards.

EDGE Analysis

Fellow tight end Matt LaCosse saw 46 snaps in the contest and turned his only target into an eight-yard TD. Neither player is a high-percentage fantasy option Week 17 or in the looming NFL postseason.

Watson, who was on the field for 34 of a possible 65 snaps on offense in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Bengals, was not targeted in the contest.

EDGE Analysis

Meanwhile, Matt LaCosse logged 49 snaps, while catching all three of his targets for 22 yards. At some point, the Patriots could get their tight ends more involved in the passing attack, but that possibility is not something worth rolling the dice on at this stage of the fantasy season.

Watson was on the field for 32 of a possible 67 snaps on offense in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Chiefs.

EDGE Analysis

Watson caught one of his three targets in the contest for seven yards, while fellow tight end Matt LaCosse (54 snaps) caught two of his four targets for 14 yards. Neither of the two tight ends are high-percentage fantasy plays down the stretch.

Watson logged 47 of a possible 87 snaps on offense in Sunday's 28-22 loss to the Texans.

EDGE Analysis

Watson caught his only target in the game for 23 yards, while fellow tight end Matt LaCosse (53 snaps) hauled in one of his two targets for 24 yards. In the wake of back-to-back low-volume efforts, it'll be hard to trust Watson as a fantasy option when the Patriots take on the Chiefs in Week 14.

Watson was on the field for 49 of a possible 70 snaps on offense in Sunday's 13-9 win over the Cowboys. He did not catch his lone target in the contest.

EDGE Analysis

Meanwhile, fellow tight end Matt LaCosse logged 34 snaps and caught his only target for five yards. Game flow/weather/personnel availability led to Watson doing plenty of blocking Sunday, but there will be weeks going forward in which he makes more of an impact as a pass catcher. Even so, his fantasy upside is modest, given that he's yet to record a TD in five contests to date.

Watson caught three of his four targets for 52 yards in Sunday's 17-10 win over the Eagles.

EDGE Analysis

Per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, Watson was on the field for 59 of the Patriots' 74 snaps on offense Sunday, while Matt LaCosse, in his return from a knee injury, logged 21 snaps, catching two of his three targets for three yards. As long as he can stay healthy, Watson will continue to serve as the Patriots' top pass-catching tight end, a role that's carried limited fantasy upside thus far, but does at least give the 38-year-old a degree of value in deeper PPR formats.

Watson was on the field for all 67 of the Patriots' snaps on offense in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Ravens, en route to hauling in four of his five targets for 28 yards.

EDGE Analysis

Once the Patriots return from their Week 10 bye, Watson will continue to profile as the team's top pass-catching tight end, but it's a role that has so far yielded modest production, helpful only in deeper PPR formats.