After starting the 2024 coaching camp with a major shoulder harm that landed him on the crew’s Lively/PUP (physically-unable-to-perform) checklist, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ cornerback Jaylen Watson is able to make his return.
In final season’s Week 2 recreation towards the Jacksonville Jaguars, Watson suffered a torn labrum which saved him out of 1 recreation and continued to trouble him.
“It was robust,” Watson confessed of his shoulder harm whereas talking to reporters after Tuesday’s apply at Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph. “The worst elements had been the practices, as a result of I wasn’t taking something to take the ache away. It simply saved coming out day by day however then popping again in.
“It was a problem — but it surely was all price it.”
Watson mentioned it was his love of soccer that allowed him to will his approach by means of such a major harm.
“I actually didn’t really feel it [during games] as a result of, the adrenaline was going and I made the most effective of the state of affairs,” he defined. “I simply wished to get one other Tremendous Bowl — and it occurred — so it was all price it.”
Surgical procedure was successful I acquired my labrum in week 2!! Was given the choice to get surgical procedure or attempt to play the rest of the season 5 months later 2x Tremendous Bowl Champ!! A whole lot of discomfort lots of ache this yr however price each second pic.twitter.com/3OoHWhCIcy
— Wat’s Island (@JaylenWatson12) March 6, 2024
Taking part in by means of the harm meant that Watson needed to depend on intuition to get by means of the season. Trusting the system allowed him to make up for the changes he needed to make to compensate for the harm.
“If I see one thing, [I] imagine it,” he mentioned of taking part in by means of the harm. “A whole lot of instances, as [defensive backs], it’s about trusting your eyes and making performs on the ball. I believe that’s what I’m finest at doing, so [I’m] simply making an attempt to showcase that.”
Noting that “it’s a brand new yr,” Watson acknowledges that with Kansas Metropolis’s commerce of cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans, a beginning spot is now open.
“[There is] a spot open for everybody,” he mentioned. “Everybody has objectives for themselves — [to] simply attempt to make a reputation for your self [and] let the world know who you’re.”
Watson mentioned the competitors for the emptiness has “been enjoyable.” He and teammates like Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson proceed to assist one another — although simply one in all them can win the job.
“[There’s] all the time been wholesome competitors,” he defined, noting that it’s now the third yr the three 2022 draft picks have performed collectively. “We all the time root for one another’s success. Whoever goes to take the spot goes to be [deserving] of it.”