Jaylen Watson needs season-ending shoulder surgery
Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson will miss the rest of the season after aggravating a shoulder injury he first dislocated in Week 3, coach Sean McVay said.
Why Jaylen Watson needs season-ending shoulder surgery
Jaylen Watson needs season-ending shoulder surgery, Rams coach Sean McVay said Wednesday. Watson aggravated a previous shoulder injury during the Rams' Week 8 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, and doctors told the team that playing through it carried a very high probability of the shoulder coming out again and causing further damage. McVay said Watson wanted to keep playing, but the team decided surgery was the right call.
McVay called the decision the tough part of the situation, since Watson has been one of the Rams' most reliable players this season. "He's been awesome," McVay said. "He's been playing through some different stuff, but he's been really productive."
The timeline of Watson's shoulder injury
Watson first dislocated his shoulder in Week 3 and missed the following week before returning to the lineup. He kept playing through the following weeks, but the shoulder gave out again in the Rams' Week 8 victory over the Chargers, forcing him out of that game.
Watson's season and his new contract with the Rams
Watson signed a three-year, $51 million contract with the Rams in March, and McVay said he has lived up to it and more. In seven games this season, Watson picked off one pass and made 24 tackles.
Watson has also been one of the more effective cornerbacks in the league in coverage. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he allowed a 48.5% completion percentage as the nearest defender this season, the fourth lowest mark among players with at least 30 targets.
Other Rams injury news: Myles Garrett and Terrance Ferguson
The Rams also opened the practice window for pass rusher Myles Garrett and tight end Terrance Ferguson, McVay said. Both will be limited participants to start, and McVay said Garrett is expected to take half of the team's practice reps on Wednesday. Garrett has been on injured reserve since having arthroscopic knee surgery in mid-September. He played in the Rams' season opener but said afterward he was not 100% healthy.
McVay said the plan is to bring Garrett back in slowly. "It's great to be able to get him back out there," McVay said. "We are certainly excited to get him back out there."
Facts per ESPN. Opinion is the taproom's.