Kansas Metropolis Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson made a well timed and sudden return to the lineup for the crew’s Divisional spherical recreation in opposition to the Houston Texans.
As soon as considered executed for the season after needing ankle surgical procedure, Watson performed 40 snaps (59%) in opposition to Houston, then one other 52 (71%) in opposition to the Buffalo Payments within the AFC Championship.
Regardless of Nazeeh Johnson beginning in each matchups, Watson out-snapped him in every recreation, and he continues to development in the appropriate route.
“We didn’t wanna throw Jalen within the fireplace after that a lot day off,” defined defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on Friday. “He was gonna go from walkthroughs and the way our practices are — we don’t have any pads on or something — so we thought we’d attempt to ease him in in that first recreation [against the Texans].”
Kansas Metropolis’s newest harm report indicated Watson was a full participant through the crew’s Tremendous Bowl bye week practices.
“[Waston] acquired extra on this previous recreation [against the Bills], and we’d anticipate that the identical factor would occur right here [against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX],” added Spagnuolo. “However it’s like I inform all these secondary guys: ‘All fingers on deck, we’re gonna want everyone.’
“I imply, anyone will get dinged, they’re gonna should exit, after which now we have some packages the place each these guys are in there on the similar time. So when it’s all stated and executed, I simply hope whoever is in there may be enjoying actual efficient.”
Per Professional Soccer Focus, Watson grades out (75.3) because the third-best Chiefs defensive again by way of protection this season, solely behind cornerback Trent McDuffie (80.7) and security Justin Reid (77.0).
