KC Chiefs WR Justin Watson Elbow Injury Severity, Potential Recovery Timeline Revealed

The Chiefs are getting a better idea of how long Watson, who got hurt on Thursday night, could be out of the lineup.

The Kansas City Chiefs escaped their Thursday Night Football matchup against the Denver Broncos without suffering many injuries, but one offensive contributor did get banged up in Week 6. Wide receiver Justin Watson suffered an elbow injury in the fourth quarter, knocking him out of the remainder of the game. 

At the end of the night, head coach Andy Reid confirmed that Watson's elbow wasn't broken but didn't have much information beyond that. Late on Friday morning, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network had additional details to share. His report indicates that Watson suffered an elbow dislocation and is going to be out of action for "a few weeks at least" with the potential for even more time missed. An MRI will determine a more finalized timeline for his return to play.

#Chiefs WR Justin Watson, who leads his team with 21.9 yards per catch, suffered a dislocated elbow last night, sources say. X-Rays were negative and he's getting an MRI now. He's out a few weeks at least, and it could be longer based on the results of the scans.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 13, 2023

#Chiefs WR Justin Watson, who leads his team with 21.9 yards per catch, suffered a dislocated elbow last night, sources say. X-Rays were negative and he's getting an MRI now. He's out a few weeks at least, and it could be longer based on the results of the scans.

This is a notable loss for the Chiefs, as Watson has been one of their leading receivers this season. In six games, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer was targeted 17 times and registered 10 catches for 219 yards. Seven of those 10 receptions were good for a first down, which is a testament to his big-play ability for Kansas City. Watson obviously has the trust of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and any time he's out of the lineup could lead to more struggles for a unit that hasn't been terrific in 2023.

With Watson out for those few weeks (and potentially longer), the Chiefs will collectively look for more production from their wide receiver room. Skyy Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Rashee Rice, Kadarius Toney and Justyn Ross make up the group, with different players producing at various levels through six games. Rice is the current top contributor, hauling in 21 passes for 245 yards and a pair of touchdowns to kick off his rookie season.

Time missed for elbow dislocations will tend to vary in the NFL, and a lot of it depends on the extent of the injury and whether surgery is required to repair the ailment. Some players can return to the field within a month, whereas others have had their seasons cut short due to dislocations in the past. The Chiefs will hope for good MRI news regarding Watson's specific case, as well as a speedy recovery timeline so he can get back on the field for the stretch run of the season. 

UPDATE: On Friday afternoon, Rapoport reported that no significant damage was revealed in Watson's MRI. He adds that the wideout "should be back sooner, rather than later."

Read More: Winners and Losers From the Chiefs' Week 6 Victory Over the Broncos