Kansas Metropolis Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson made a well timed and surprising return to the lineup for the group’s Divisional spherical sport in opposition to the Houston Texans.
As soon as regarded as performed 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 sport, and he continues to development in the appropriate course.
“We didn’t wanna throw Jalen within the hearth after that a lot time without work,” 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 sport [against the Texans].”
Kansas Metropolis’s newest damage report indicated Watson was a full participant in the course of the group’s Tremendous Bowl bye week practices.
“[Waston] obtained extra on this previous sport [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. “Nevertheless it’s like I inform all these secondary guys: ‘All fingers on deck, we’re gonna want all people.’
“I imply, any individual will get dinged, they’re gonna must exit, after which we’ve some packages the place each these guys are in there on the similar time. So when it’s all stated and performed, 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).
