Ravens' Benjamin Watson expected out for season after tearing Achilles

ByJAMISON HENSLEY
August 27, 2016, 9:00 PM

— -- BALTIMORE -- Ravens tight end Benjamin Watson is expected to be sidelined for the season after tearing his right Achilles tendon on Baltimore's first offensive play of Saturday night's 30-9 preseason win over the Detroit Lions.

Watson, who was the Ravens' first free-agent signing this offseason, suffered the injury when he tripped over his feet while running a route over the middle. He was carried off the field and couldn't put any weight on his right leg.

Watson, 35, was coming off a career year in  New Orleans with 74 catches for 825 yards receiving and six touchdowns. He had been one of the more durable tight ends, missing only one game in his past four seasons.

The Ravens are down to one healthy tight end with experience: Crockett Gillmore. Baltimore has been without Dennis Pitta (fractured finger) and Maxx Williams (undisclosed) for most of the preseason.

Watson broke into the league in 2004 with New England and played with Cleveland from 2010 through 2012 before going to the Saints.

He has 434 catches for 4,963 yards and 38 touchdowns in 163 games.

Also Saturday, the Ravens lost rookie running back Kenneth Dixon on a goal-line run. The team said he sprained a knee and he did not return. 

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.