Jaylen Watson Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Colts vs Chiefs game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Oct 24, 2025
Upgrades to full practice
Watson (back) upgraded to a full practice Friday.
ANALYSIS
Watson was limited Thursday but should be ready to roll Monday night against Washington. Watson has started all seven games this season, recording 30 tackles (18 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and four pass breakups, including one interception, on 96 percent of the defensive snaps.
Oct 23, 2025
Listed as limited in practice
Watson (back) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Watson appears to have picked up a back injury during Kansas City's blowout 31-0 win over the Raiders in Week 7, in which he played a season-low 71 percent of defensive snaps. Of course, the Chiefs also benched multiple starters once victory over Las Vegas was well in hand, it's difficult to put too much weight on Watson's low snap count. If he's unable to resume practicing in full Friday and/or Saturday, Watson will likely be assigned an injury designation for Monday Night Football versus Washington.
Oct 7, 2025
Secures sack in loss
Watson recorded four solo tackles, including 1.0 sacks, in Monday's 31-28 loss to the Jaguars.
ANALYSIS
Watson was able to get to Trevor Lawrence in the second quarter, recording his first sack since the 2023 season. The cornerback is now up to 27 total tackles (17 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding three passes defensed, one of which was an interception, over five games this year.
Sep 30, 2025
Just one tackle in victory
Watson recorded one tackle (one solo) in the Chiefs' win over the Ravens on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
Watson played 98 percent of the Chiefs' defensive snaps against Baltimore, but Lamar Jackson (hamstring) and Cooper Rush rarely threw in Watson's direction. The Chiefs' top outside cornerback, Watson has 23 tackles (13 solo) and three pass breakups, including one interception, across four games to begin the season.
Sep 22, 2025
Picks off Wilson in Week 3 win
Watson recorded seven tackles and two pass defenses, including an interception, in Sunday's 22-9 victory versus the Giants.
ANALYSIS
Watson ranked third on Kansas City in tackles behind Nick Bolton (14) and George Karlaftis (10). Watson also registered a key interception, picking off Russell Wilson in the end zone as New York was driving toward the end of the first half. The pickoff was the second of Watson's career and his first since the 2022 season.
Sep 6, 2025
Starts at outside corner
Watson recorded six tackles (five solo) and one pass defensed in Friday's 27-21 loss to the Chargers.
ANALYSIS
Watson started at outside corner, opposite Trent McDuffie, and was off the field for only one defensive snap. Watson looked to be in line for a breakout 2024 season before suffering a serious leg injury that sidelined him for most of the year. Now healthy, he appears to have retained a significant role in the secondary.
Aug 24, 2025
Past concussion
Watson recorded one pass defended in Friday's 29-27 preseason loss to the Bears.
ANALYSIS
Watson suffered a concussion in Kansas City's first preseason game and had been sidelined since. He passed protocol and logged 18 total snaps (17 on defense) and should be ready to roll for Kansas City's Week 1 matchup against the Chargers.
Aug 9, 2025
Enters concussion protocol
Watson (concussion) is ruled out for the remainder of Saturday's preseason contest against the Cardinals.
ANALYSIS
Watson won't return to action Saturday, and he'll need to fully clear the NFL's concussion protocol before being eligible for further preseason action, making him uncertain to play Friday, Aug. 15 versus the Seahawks. Nazeeh Johnson and Nohl Williams figure to benefit from increased reps at cornerback as long as Watson is sidelined.
Feb 13, 2025
Contributes in limited action
Watson only played in six regular-season games in 2024, but he finished with 32 tackles (21 solo) and six pass breakups.
ANALYSIS
The cornerback missed the last 11 games of the regular season with a fractured fibula-tibia, but he returned for the playoffs and recorded five tackles (four solo) and a pass defensed across three games. Watson also started six games as a rookie in 2022 and two more in 2023, but this was the first regular season in which he started every game he played in. The seventh-round pick in 2022 is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
Jan 18, 2025
Making return in divisional round
Watson (lower leg) is active for Saturday's AFC divisional-round matchup against Houston.
ANALYSIS
Watson will make is return to the field after missing the Chiefs' final 11 games of the regular season while on IR due to a fractured fibula-tibia. It's not clear how much of a workload he'll handle after the extended absence, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported earlier in the week that the third-year cornerback could have his snaps monitored if able to suit up. With Watson back in action, Keith Taylor is a healthy scratch Saturday.
Jan 17, 2025
Takes big step toward return
The Chiefs activated Watson (lower leg) off injured reserve Friday, and he remains questionable to play Saturday against Houston.
ANALYSIS
Watson had been on IR since Oct. 22 after fracturing his left fibula-tibia Week 7 versus San Francisco. He was designated to return Jan. 3 and logged a trio of full practices this week. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid implied Thursday that Watson has a real chance of playing Saturday but also suggested that he may not get a full workload, saying of the cornerback, "we'll see how it goes as far as the game reps and all that," per Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com.
Jan 16, 2025
Questionable to face Houston
Watson (lower leg) is listed as questionable for Saturday's AFC divisional-round clash against the Texans.
ANALYSIS
Watson has been on the Chiefs' injured reserve since Oct. 22 after fracturing his left fibula-tibia in Week 7 against the 49ers. He was designated to return from IR on Jan. 3, and he was a full participant in practice all week. Watson would have to be activated from IR before Saturday's playoff bout in order to play.
Jan 14, 2025
Promising start to practice week
Watson (lower leg), who is currently on IR, was a full participant in practice Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Watson hasn't played since fracturing his left ankle Week 7 against San Francisco, but he was designated to return from injured reserve Jan. 3 and appears to have a real chance of playing in Saturday's AFC divisional-round matchup against Houston. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid echoed that possibility Tuesday, saying of Watson, "I'm not telling you he can play a whole game, but I think he has a chance of playing. We'll see," per Jordan Foote of SI.com. Of late, Josh Williams has been playing most of the defensive snaps opposite Trent McDuffie at cornerback.
Jan 10, 2025
Doing well at practice
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Friday that Watson (lower leg) is participating in practice and "moving around well," Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Watson has his 21-day practice window opened January 3, and he appears to be making significant progress toward a return from IR in time to suit up for the AFC divisional round of the playoffs. As a result of Kansas City having earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC, Watson has the benefit of an additional week to focus on his health. He'll need to be activated from IR in order to be eligible for postseason action.
Jan 3, 2025
Designated to return from IR
The Chiefs designated Watson (leg) for return from injured reserve Friday, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Watson suffered a broken tibia-fibula at the ankle in Week 7 against San Francisco and has been recovering on injured reserve for the last 10 weeks. Watson is expected to practice Friday. He obviously isn't going to play Sunday against the Broncos with the Chiefs already announcing they will rest their starters, but it does sound like Watson will have a chance to potentially play in the divisional round of the playoffs in a little more than two weeks. Friday will mark the opening of Watson's 21-day window for activation.
Oct 22, 2024
Placed on IR
The Chiefs placed Watson (lower leg) on injured reserve Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Watson fractured his ankle during Sunday's win over the 49ers, an injury that will keep him out for the rest of the 2024 regular season, though he could be available to come back off IR if the Chiefs make a deep playoff run, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. With Watson sidelined, Nazeeh Johnson should have the inside track on Joshua Williams for the second starting corner job opposite Trent McDuffie, though the Chiefs signed Keith Taylor on Tuesday to bring in some additional depth and competition at the position.
Oct 22, 2024
Done for regular season, at least
Watson (lower leg) is slated to undergo surgery in the coming days to repair a fractured left fibula-tibia and will miss the remainder of the 2024 regular season, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Watson has a chance to return to the field should the Chiefs still be in contention late in the playoffs, but his recovery timetable may also sideline him longer than January or February. The third-year pro had been essentially an every-down player at outside cornerback for Kansas City, so his absence will afford Nazeeh Johnson and Joshua Williams additional starting reps at outside cornerback. Expect Watson to be officially placed on IR in the near future.
Oct 21, 2024
Suffers signifcant injury
Watson suffered a fractured ankle in Sunday's win over the 49ers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Watson was spotted with crutches and a cast after the victory, so the news isn't exactly surprising. The Washington State product will undergo further imagining Monday to determine the severity of the fracture and whether or not he may be able to return at some point later this season. Watson's likely absence in the weeks ahead will leave the Chiefs without one of their starting corners and afford increased opportunity for Nazeeh Johnson and Joshua Williams.
Oct 20, 2024
On crutches
Watson (ankle) was on crutches and wearing a cast after Sunday's 28-18 win over the 49ers, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
The cornerback suffered the injury during the game after making three tackles (two solo). Watson has 32 tackles (21 solo) and six passes defensed this season. Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson should see more action if Watson is forced to miss time.
Oct 20, 2024
Done for day
Watson (ankle) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's contest against the 49ers.
ANALYSIS
Watson's day is officially done after he suffered an ankle injury in the second half versus San Francisco. Moving forward, if Watson is unavailable, Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson will see added work in the secondary with Kansas City.
Oct 20, 2024
Exits early Sunday
Watson (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest against the 49ers.
ANALYSIS
Watson sustained the ankle injury in the second half versus San Francisco and if he can't return, the cornerback will finish his day with three total tackles (one solo). In Watson's absence, Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson are candidates to step into larger roles in the secondary.
Sep 6, 2024
Leads team in tackles Week 1
Watson notched 11 tackles (seven solo) and one pass defensed during Thursday's 27-20 win over the Ravens.
ANALYSIS
Watson played 96 percent of defensive snaps versus the Ravens on Thursday, effectively starting over Joshua Williams. If Watson has truly earned the starting job across from Trent McDuffie at cornerback, as is reflected on Kansas City's depth chart for Week 1, he'll warrant consideration in IDP formats heading into a Week 2 matchup against the Bengals. It's possible, though, that Williams is simply being eased back into action after having missed much of the preseason due to a hamstring issue.
Jul 31, 2024
Comes off PUP list
The Chiefs activated Jones (undisclosed) off the active/PUP list Wednesday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Jones could still be nursing the undisclosed injury that landed him on Kansas City's active/PUP list earlier in July, but he was able to return to practice Wednesday. The 2022 seventh-round pick out of Washington State will likely be competing for a rotational spot in the Chiefs' secondary now that he's back on the field.
Jul 17, 2024
Placed on PUP list
The Chiefs placed Watson (undisclosed) on the active/PUP list Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Watson appears to be dealing with an undisclosed injury ahead of the start of training camp Sunday. He'll be eligible to come off the PUP list at any time through camp or the preseason, once healthy enough to practice. The 2022 seventh-round draft pick was a rotational contributor for Kansas City last season, but he now appears primed for a more pivotal role following the departure of L'Jarius Sneed.
Oct 22, 2023
Active Sunday
Watson (thigh) is active for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Watson was added to the injury report Friday, but he'll still suit up for the divisional matchup. The second-year cornerback should handle his usual rotational role Sunday. Over his past four appearances, Watson has totaled eight tackles and two pass defenses while playing around 50 percent of Kansas City's defensive snaps.
Oct 20, 2023
Questionable Sunday
Watson (thigh) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers.
ANALYSIS
The second-year corner out of Washington State popped up on Kansas City's injury report Friday with a thigh issue. Watson was held to limited participation in Friday's practice and is now listed as questionable this Sunday. If the 25-year-old is unable to go this weekend, Nic Jones will likely see more snaps in the Chiefs' secondary.
Oct 5, 2023
On pace to play Sunday
Watson (shoulder) was a full participant at practice Thursday.
ANALYSIS
After logging a limited practice Wednesday, Watson was able to practice in full Thursday and figures to be ready to go for Week 5. He should settle back into a depth role in Kansas City's defensive backfield Sunday at Minnesota.
Sep 29, 2023
Won't play against New York
Watson (shoulder) is inactive for Kansas City's matchup against the Jets on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
Watson has seen just a limited role through the first three games of the season and will now miss the team's upcoming matchup against New York. Joshua Williams and Nic Jones could see increased playing time with the 25-year-old not suiting up.
Mar 10, 2023
Makes case as rookie
Watson compiled 49 tackles (37 solo), and an interception for a touchdown during the 2022 regular season.
ANALYSIS
As a seventh-round pick, Watson exceeded expectations as a rookie, claiming a regular role with 568 snaps. While he likely needed to prove his worth in training camp in 2022, he should enter 2023 on firm footing regarding his roster spot. However, from a fantasy perspective, Watson only figures to factor into dynasty formats with deep IDP options.
Sep 16, 2022
99-yard pick-six in win
Watson recorded four tackles (three solo) and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown, during Thursday's 27-24 win over the Chargers.
ANALYSIS
After the Chiefs tied the game at 17, the Chargers offense moved the ball efficiently and methodically down the field to the three-yard line. Gerald Everett set Los Angeles up with a 26-yard catch-and-run, but he appeared to ask out after getting tackled near the goal line. However, Justin Herbert opted to go hurry-up and went right back to Everett, who wasn't ready for the pass. Watson jumped the route and took the interception back 99 yards to give Kansas City its first lead of the game. The rookie seventh-round pick has recorded six tackles, two pass defenses and an interception across 81 snaps during his first two NFL contests.
Apr 30, 2022
Seventh-round pick by Kansas City
The Chiefs selected Watson in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 243rd overall.
ANALYSIS
Watson (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) is an interesting Cover-3 type corner prospect, and one who looks like a good pick for the Chiefs this late. Like third-round pick and fellow rookie corner Joshua Williams, Watson is a big corner with standout athleticism and gives the Chiefs a trait match to Charvarius Ward, who left the Chiefs in free agency. Watson has long arms (32 and 1/4 inches) to jam receivers and elite leaping athleticism (38-inch vertical, 132-inch broad jump) to defend them above the rim.
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