Watson played >40 snaps Sunday but was held without a catch on just one target.

EDGE Analysis

Baltimore went to the air just 17 times Sunday, but it was still surprising to see Watson completely shut out of the box score. Quarterback Joe Flacco missed the entire preseason while recovering from a back injury, and it appears that Baltimore is content with leaning on the run game while he works his way into game shape. With that, pass catching options like Watson may have some frustrating outings for his owners until Flacco finds his rhythm.

Watson is listed behind Nick Boyle on the Week 1 depth chart, Garrett Downing of the Ravens' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Despite what the depth chart says, Watson may operate as the team's primary pass-catching tight end, considering Boyle is mostly valued for his run blocking. Watson also handled more first-team snaps than his teammate in the third week of the preseason when the Ravens gave their starters significant run. It's a situation best avoided unless Watson provides concrete evidence that he's one of Joe Flacco's preferred targets in the regular season. None of the Baltimore tight ends stood out while working with Ryan Mallett in the preseason.

Watson caught his lone target for 11 yards in Thursday's preseason win over the Dolphins.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran tight end saw his first game action in nearly a year after suffering a torn Achilles against the Lions last preseason. Watson only played sparingly Thursday, as did most of Baltimore's veteran first-stringers, but he made the most of his lone opportunity with an impressive grab over the middle to pick up 11 yards. Look for Watson to see more snaps in Baltimore's third preseason game as he looks to solidify his role as the Ravens' top pass catching tight end.

Watson is expected to play in the Ravens' preseason game against the Dolphins on Thursday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thursday marks Watson's first game action since suffering a torn Achilles in a preseason game last year, which ended his first season in Baltimore before it even began. Now healthy, Watson is the most established option in Baltimore's tight end group and he's clearly the most polished pass-catcher of the bunch, which makes him the most attractive fantasy target on the Ravens despite Nick Boyle's rapid ascension up the depth chart. While fans won't be able to see Watson's rapport with Joe Flacco on Thursday, they will get a glimpse at how the veteran looks post-injury.

Watson (Achilles) returned to practice on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Watson takes the field just nine months after tearing his Achilles, a rapid recovery for the veteran tight end. Now back on the field, Watson is speculated to be the No. 1 tight end after the release of Dennis Pitta (hip) last week. It's difficult to gauge how much the 36-year-old has left in the tank, especially factoring in a torn Achilles, but Watson is the Ravens' best option in an otherwise inexperienced group of tight ends. That being said, the team may opt to handle the season as a tight end by committee situation, with Crockett Gillmore (shoulder) and Maxx Williams (knee) splitting first-team reps once they are healthy.

Watson (Achilles) is nearing a return to full health, ESPN's Jamison Hensley reports. "I'm able to do pretty much everything to some extent. These last couple stages are very important about getting the strength back. The actual Achilles itself is intact," Watson said. "The good thing, if there is a good thing, even though I hated that it happened, I had a long time to recover and to make sure this thing is at a place where I can compete when the time is right."

EDGE Analysis

Watson has endured the "toughest, longest and most strenuous rehab" of his career in his recovery from an Achilles rupture he sustained in a 2016 preseason game. Fortunately, he's still expected to return in time for training camp in July. The Ravens could save $3 million by cutting him this offseason, but despite being one of the most cash-strapped teams in the league, Baltimore doesn't appear to have any intentions of parting ways with the 36-year-old tight end at this point in time.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Watson (Achilles) is ahead of schedule in his recovery, ESPN's Jamison Hensley reports.

EDGE Analysis

Recovering from a torn Achilles suffered last preseason, Watson still hasn't been cleared to practice as he prepares for the second season of his two-year, $7 million contract. The Ravens want to see how the 36-year-old tight end looks once he's healthy, but it is still possible he could be released before the season to free up cap room. The team has other options at tight end, with Dennis Pitta, Crockett Gillmore (shoulder) and Maxx Williams (knee) all under contract for at least one more season. Gillmore and Williams are still on their rookie deals, while Pitta accepted a restructured contract that should keep his roster spot safe. Watson was the clear top option last preseason, but he'll likely have to compete for snaps this time around.

The Ravens may take a patient approach with Watson, who missed all of last season after tearing his Achilles in the preseason, ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coming off a breakout 2015 season, Watson joined the Ravens on a two-year, $7 million contract and was set to open 2016 as the leader of a deep tight end corps. Despite the re-emergence of Dennis Pitta atop a still-crowded depth chart, Watson's reasonable contract could persuade the Ravens to give him another shot, assuming the 36-year-old is healthy in time for training camp. Given his age and lengthy rehab process, Watson may be gunning for more of a committee role, whereas last year he had a shot at a near every-down job. It's also quite possible the Ravens will release him or ask him to accept a pay cut -- though the same can be said for Pitta.

Watson suffered a torn Achilles on the first snap of Saturday's preseason game against the Lions.

EDGE Analysis

Signed to a two-year, $7 million contract in the offseason, the 36-year-old Watson was locked in as Baltimore's starting tight end. The only good news for the team is that it boasts strong depth at the position, though Maxx Williams (undisclosed) and Dennis Pitta (finger) are nursing injuries of their own, with neither available for Saturday's exhibition. Crockett Gillmore, the starter for most of last season, figures to get the majority of first-team snaps in Saturday's game. Gillmore could take on a lot of Watson's planned workload in the regular season, as he's a much better blocker than Williams or Pitta. Watson will miss the entire season.

Watson is listed as a starter on the Ravens' initial preseason depth chart, the team's official website reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coming off a breakout season in New Orleans, the 35-year-old Watson signed a two-year, $7 million contract with a Ravens team that already had a deep group of tight ends. The signing seemed curious at first, but Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome explained that it was simply too good of a bargain to pass up, making it clear the team holds Watson in high regard. It thus comes as no surprise to see the 12-year veteran listed atop the initial depth chart, followed by Dennis Pitta (hip), Crockett Gillmore (hamstring) and Maxx Williams (undisclosed). While a clear favorite to lock down the starting job, Watson has far more competition for snaps and targets than he did last season, and he'll be working with Joe Flacco instead of Drew Brees.