Patriots TE Ben Watson says he played through torn achilles

A significant injury.

New England Patriots tight end Ben Watson seems to have fought through a severe injury through the 2019 season.

He wrote on Instagram that he had an Achilles issue. The 39-year-old was not listed on the team’s injury report with an Achilles issue during the year. Still, Watson played 10 games this season with 17 catches and 173 receiving yards.

“Tore my ‘good’ Achilles this season but @jfkoudelka2 kept me on the field! A million thanks! @TB12,” Watson wrote on his Instagram story.

Watson’s Instagram shows him at the TB12 Sports Therapy Center, a business owned by Tom Brady and Alex Guerrero, Brady’s body coach. They specialize in helping athletes reach and sustain peak performance.

Watson’s play looked diminished in 2019. But it seemed more a product of age than anything else. His production had been on the decline before he arrived in New England. But perhaps this injury contributed to his inability to contribute much as a pass-catcher.

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