ex Ole Miss Rebels senior receiver Jordan Watkins has played a crucial role in Lane Kiffin's offense this season, as he is currently the team's leading receiver through eight games. Watkins has hauled in 39 receptions for 580 yards and two touchdowns despite injuring his hand the week before Ole Miss' Week 8 road game versus the Auburn Tigers.
Watkins did not let the injury keep him off the field, however, as the wideout still managed to get reps in with his hand heavily taped. The Louisville, Ky., native detailed his injury at the start of his media availability on Tuesday.
"It was just a freak accident," Watkins told reporters. "Football's a very physical sport and you can get injured at any time. It's just one of those things that happened, but I was able to come back and now I'm good to go."
Since sustaining the injury, Watkins has only caught three receptions for 44 yards, but his presence alone helps the Ole Miss offense run smoothly.
Watkins revealed what it was like playing versus Auburn immediately after he hurt his hand.
"I knew I was going to be limited going into the Auburn game," Watkins said. "I just really wasn't thinking about [the injury] really. I was more focused on the team and just coming out with a huge win on the road in a place like Jordan-Hare [Stadium] that has a crazy environment. Just more focused on getting the win."
Watkins and the Rebels beat Auburn on The Plains for the first time since 2015 and have now beaten the Tigers in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1951-52. The Rebels' leading receiver described the apparatus protecting his hand and revealed whether or not he has had to change the way he catches the ball.
"No, I don't think so," Watkins said. "It's just a little small cast that I wear with some tape on it. I don't think it impacts the way I catch the ball or whatnot. Just going out there and being able to play, I'm really grateful to do that."
After the Auburn game, Kiffin explained that Watkins had to beg him to get reps versus the Tigers. The senior talked about how the conversation with his coach went down.
"Saturday morning I walked down to the [hotel] lobby and I was like 'Coach I'm able to catch the ball' and he looked at me like, 'Are you serious?'" Watkins said. "He made me prove that I could catch, and he told me I was good."
Watkins described what drove him to want to play despite dealing with an injury.
"Just me being in a role where guys look up to me and playing a huge impact in the offense," Watkins said. "I just felt like it would be better if I was out there with my guys instead of sitting on the sidelines or sitting at home. It just wouldn't feel right to me. I don't think I've ever missed a college game my whole career and I wasn't going to start that day."
Watkins and the Rebels will continue their 2023 campaign on Saturday versus the Texas A&M Aggies. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT and the game will be televised on ESPN.
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