Report: Chiefs CB Jaylen Watson Suffered Fractured Ankle – Timeline for Return?

The Kansas City Chiefs will reportedly be without cornerback Jaylen Watson due to a fractured ankle. When could KC's breakout No. 2 cornerback return?

Sep 29, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) celebrates after breaking up a pass for Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (5) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

In a season already devastated by injuries, the Kansas City Chiefs reportedly suffered another major loss in Sunday's win over the San Francisco 49ers.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, starting cornerback Jaylen Watson has a fractured ankle, putting the remainder of his season in doubt. Rapoport noted that Watson is set to "have more imaging done [Monday] to determine if a return this season is possible," setting a bleak timeline for Watson's potential return.

#Chiefs CB Jaylen Watson, one of their emerging young players on defense, suffered a fractured ankle in Sunday’s win over the #49ers, sources say.

He’ll have more imaging done today to determine if a return this season is possible. But tough reality for an up-and-coming corner. pic.twitter.com/86J6M58zqm

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2024

Watson had been one of the most important developments of Kansas City's season through the first several games of the year, emerging as the defense's clear No. 2 cornerback opposite Trent McDuffie. Watson had played nearly every defensive snap of the season after the Chiefs struggled to find consistency from their other cornerbacks in training camp.

As the Chiefs now prepare for life without their No. 2 corner, Jordan Foote of Kansas City Chiefs On SI says this is an enormous loss for the reigning champions.

"Prior to getting hurt, Watson was truly playing some of his best football," Foote said. "It wasn't particularly close, either. The third-year man really emerged into a legitimate piece in the secondary, amassing 32 tackles (he had 33 all of last year) and tying a career-high mark with six passes broken up in six games. In coverage, he surrendered just a 51.7% completion rate and a 73.9 passer rating that blew his previous best of 103.6 out of the water. That, combined with how much he thrives at playing a physical brand of football, made him an ideal fit in Steve Spagnuolo and Dave Merritt's cornerback unit. Kansas City will sorely miss Watson's production, and it remains to be seen whether it can be replaced down the stretch."

Read More: In a Season of Attrition, the Chiefs' Defense Deserves Credit for KC's Undefeated Start