The 15-1 Kansas City Chiefs will travel to Colorado to play against the 9-7 Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High for their regular-season finale. Since they have already clinched the first seed, a first-round bye, and home-field advantage, Kansas City will rest many starters against Denver. Because Week 18 is a meaningless game, the Chiefs are 10.5-point underdogs against the Broncos, who are fighting for a playoff spot.
Kansas City Chiefs’ up-and-coming defensive back suffered what was initially believed to be a season-ending injury
Jaylen Watson suffered a significant lower-leg injury during the fourth quarter of Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers. Tests determined that Watson sustained fractures to his tibia and fibula, initially believed to be season-ending. The Chiefs didn’t close the door on him potentially returning for the playoffs. As a result, the up-and-coming cornerback underwent surgery to repair his tibia and fibula, and the team placed him on injured reserve.
Also Read: Kansas City Chiefs: Up-and-Coming Starter Feared to Have Suffered a Devastating Injury in Week 7
The Chiefs cornerback is nearing a return
According to Jordan Schultz of Schultz_Report, the Kansas City Chiefs have designated Jaylen Watson for return from injured reserve, and he will return to practice today. The Chiefs will have 21 days to activate him off injured reserve unless their season ends before the deadline expires, or else he reverts to season-ending injured reserve. As Schultz points out, they could have him back just in time for the playoffs, which would be a huge boost for their postseason chances.
Breaking: The #Chiefs are designating CB Jaylen Watson to return from IR, and he will practice today, sources tell @NFLonFOX. This is a huge boost for Kansas City, who has been without Watson since late October due to a broken fibula.
He and Trent McDuffie are one of the best CB… pic.twitter.com/ePRd10X5YG
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 3, 2025
Who replaced him in the starting lineup?
The Chiefs have alternated two young cornerbacks to replace Jaylen Watson on the outside this season. Nazeeh Johnson and Joshua Williams have alternated in Watson’s spot, and each has started five games but to no avail. Both players have struggled on the outside, and neither one has stood out in this competition. Johnson has three pass deflections and allowed 261 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a 92.5 passer rating in coverage in 42.8% of defensive snaps. Willimas has five pass deflections and allowed 153 passing yards, one touchdown, and a 78.7 passer rating in 35.75% of snaps.
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