Rams stars get emotional over Jaylen Watson’s devastating injury: ‘We’re going to do it for him’
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Rams stars get emotional over Jaylen Watson’s devastating injury: ‘We’re going to do it for him’
An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Los Angeles Rams players run onto the field through a cloud of smoke during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Image 2 shows Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) sits on a cart with a trainer during a game against the Denver Broncos
Michael Duarte·NY Post Sports
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4 min read
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The Los Angeles Rams didn't just lose a starting cornerback when Jaylen Watson underwentseason-ending shoulder surgery Wednesday.They lost their muscle, their swagger and, as Matthew Stafford put it, their enforcer.
"He's a big-time talent and a guy that was an enforcer for us on the edge," said Stafford of Watson. "He's a guy that brought it every single day, a guy that'll be missed for sure."
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For a defense already battered by injuries, losing the two-time Super Bowl champion was another gut punch. But inside the Rams locker room, the reaction went beyond football. Watson wasn't merely a teammate. He was a brother, and now, motivation to win.
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson, left, leaves the field with a staff member during an NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. AP Photo/John Locher
"We have to keep pushing forward and really do it for him now," saidRams' safety and team captain Quentin Lake."Be able to go out there, play hard, play fast for him, because that's exactly what he would want us to do."
Stafford will miss Watson's physicality day in and day out.
"He's a really talented player, really physical corner who tackles," Stafford said Wednesday. "He had some fantastic games for us this season."
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) is carted off the field during the first half of a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Head coach Sean McVay painted a picture of Watson's toughness that explained why his absence will sting.
"Give me half a bag. I need to get back out there," Watson told the medical staff, according to McVay.
That's the kind of player the Rams are losing.
"You'll miss the production, the toughness," McVay said. "His overall vibe and his swag."
Jaylen Watson of the Los Angeles Rams receives medical attention against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Oct. 25, 2026. Getty Images
McVay explained that another shoulder dislocation carried a significant risk of further damage, making surgery the right decision despite Watson's desire to continue playing.
"He's such an amazing teammate, an amazing person, and the loss of his presence is definitely going to be felt," Lake told the California Post in an exclusive interview.
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Lake revealed he texted Watson after learning the news.
"I said, 'Man, it's only God's plan, and at the end of the day, you have to trust in that.'"
Cornerback Josh Wallace witnessed the painful injury firsthand.
"I was right there standing over him, seeing him in pain," Wallace told the California Post. "We're praying for him. Hope he has a speedy recovery."
Jaylen McCollough, Kamren Kinchens, Darryl Peterson III, Jaylen Watson, Beaux Limmer, and Dylan McMahon take the field before a game Nov. 1, 2026. Getty Images
Emmanuel Forbes Jr., who figures to shoulder additional responsibility alongside Wallace, described the heartbreak of losing someone he'd grown close to throughout the offseason.
"It was hard learning that one of our brothers was out for the season," Forbes told the Post.
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Still, Forbes insisted the secondary remains confident in its ability to survive another devastating injury.
Linebacker Byron Young went one step further, dedicating the remainder of the season to Watson, injured defensive tackle Poona Ford and the other teammates whose seasons have ended prematurely.
"I hate to lose a guy like that, but we're going to keep going," Young said. "We're going to do it for him."
Watson's season is over, but his influence isn't. Lake believes the veteran's football intelligence and leadership can continue helping the secondary from the sidelines during his recovery.
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And while the Rams can replace Watson's snaps, replacing his physicality, leadership and unmistakable presence won't be nearly as simple.
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