In a major development that could reshape the AFC playoff picture, the Kansas City Chiefs are planning to activate star cornerback Jaylen Watson off injured reserve in time for their divisional round clash with the Houston Texans this Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium. Watson, who broke his ankle in Week 7 against the 49ers, has been diligently working his way back and appears ready to boost a Chiefs secondary that has struggled mightily in his absence.
Watson’s Return a Game-Changer for KC Defense
There’s no understating how significant getting Jaylen Watson back could be for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl hopes. The rookie sensation looked like a budding shutdown corner before going down, racking up 6 passes defended and immediately upgrading the KC defense opposite L’Jarius Sneed. Without him, the Chiefs have cycled through an uninspiring combination of Joshua Williams, Nazeeh Johnson, and Dicaprio Bootle at the other outside corner spot.
He’s worked tremendously hard to get himself to this point, first of all, and we will just see how that goes as far as the game reps and all that. But he sure has worked hard to get himself even to this point right here.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on Jaylen Watson’s recovery and potential return
Getting a talent like Watson back cannot be overstated. He has the size, speed, and ball skills to match up with any receiver, and should provide an instant shot in the arm to a Chiefs pass defense that ranked just 18th in DVOA during the regular season. His ability to lock down one side of the field will allow Steve Spagnuolo to get more creative with his blitz packages and coverage disguises.
Chiefs Will Need Watson Against Explosive Texans Offense
The Chiefs lucked out with a pretty favorable draw in the divisional round by hosting the upstart Texans. But Houston boasts one of the most explosive passing attacks in the NFL behind Davis Mills and his plethora of weapons in Nico Collins, John Metchie III, and Brevin Jordan. Having a talent like Watson to match up against those speedy receivers on the outside will be paramount.
- Nico Collins: 88 receptions, 1,197 yards, 9 TDs
- John Metchie III: 68 receptions, 902 yards, 6 TDs
- Brevin Jordan: 61 receptions, 778 yards, 8 TDs
The Texans passing game has been on an absolute tear, with Davis Mills throwing for over 300 yards in 4 of their last 5 games. Slowing them down will require a total team effort, but having a true CB1 like Watson available is a massive boon. He matches up well physically with the bigger Collins on the outside.
Watson’s Health Will Be Worth Monitoring
The big question will be how close to 100% Watson is after the long layoff and challenging rehab from a broken ankle. There’s always some concern about rustiness and being in game shape, especially for a corner that relies heavily on quick twitch movements and sharp cutting ability.
Jaylen’s a mentally tough kid. We have no doubt he’s worked his butt off to get back and will do everything in his power to help this team. But time will tell how close to full strength he is and how long he can go on Saturday.
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo
Watson’s snap count and how he holds up will be one of the major storylines to watch. The Chiefs would love to have him out there every play, but they also must balance the risk of reinjury or overextension. Having the dynamic playmaker out there even in a part-time role could still make a major impact though.
A Potential X-Factor on the Road to the Super Bowl
The road through the AFC playoffs goes through Kansas City, with the Chiefs earning the coveted top seed and home field advantage. They’ll be favored in this matchup against Houston and have their eyes set on a fifth straight trip to at least the AFC Championship. Getting Watson back in the fold could be just the spark this defense needs to avoid the upset and fulfill those championship aspirations.
If Jaylen is even close to what he was early in the year, it completely changes the dynamic of our defense. He’s a special, special talent and is only going to keep getting better. Having him out there makes everyone’s job easier and lets us play the attacking style we love.
Chiefs safety Justin Reid
In a postseason often defined by unheralded stars rising to the occasion, Watson is the type of X-factor that could swing a game or a series. With the spectacularly high-powered offense on the other side led by Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs don’t need a dominant defense. They just need a handful of game-changing plays and momentum shifts.
With Jaylen Watson back in the mix, the probability of those plays happening increases exponentially. Fans at Arrowhead will be rocking on Saturday, and #2 jerseys will be flying off the shelves. For the talented rookie corner, this playoff run is a chance to add to his growing legend and help bring another Lombardi trophy to Kansas City. All eyes will be on the Chiefs secondary, with their Super Bowl dreams possibly hanging in the balance.
