What's next for Rams after season-ending injury to Jaylen Watson?
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What's next for Rams after season-ending injury to Jaylen Watson?
Andrés Soto, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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3 min read
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Just when it looked like theLos Angeles Ramswere returning to full strength, the injury bug bites again.
CornerbackJaylen Watsonneeds shoulder surgery and will miss the rest of the season, head coach Sean McVay told reporters on Wednesday. Watson exitedSunday's Week 8 winover theLos Angeles Chargersearly after re-aggravating the same shoulder originally dislocated inWeek 3. He missed the following week but has played every game since, and McVay said on Monday they'd be evaluating the fifth-year DB on a day-to-day basis.
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McVay said Wednesday that Watson had hoped to continue to play through the injury with a brace, but the team ultimately decided to shut him down after they were told by doctors "the likelihood of it coming out and doing further damage to it is a very high probability."
"He's been awesome," McVay said. "He's been playing through some different stuff, but he's been really productive. And it's unfortunate that that happened, but I know he wants to be able to play, but it's the right thing to do for him. And that's the tough part about this."
Watson signed a three-year, $51 million contract with the Rams in March shortly after the team traded his formerKansas City Chiefsteammate Trent McDuffie in a blockbuster trade and signing him to a four-year, $124 million extension. The secondary tandem won two Super Bowls as members of the Chiefs and their continued pairing in LA, along with the later acquisition of Myles Garrett, immediately pushed the Rams into offseason favorites for Super Bowl 61, which will be played at SoFi Stadium.
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All three have dealt with injuries that have limited their time together on the field. Garrett underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee afterWeek 1and has been on injured reserve, thoughhe returned to practice this weekas a limited participant. McDuffie returned inWeek 8after missing the previous two weeks with a groin injury.
Watson has been a bright spot on the Rams defense, even with playing through pain. The Washington State product has an interception, nine passes defended and 24 tackles in seven games played this season. He has the seventh-highest grade among NFL cornerbacks (80.7), according toPro Football Focus.
"He's been everything and that much more that we had hoped," McVay said.
Lamar Jackson, BAL (right thumb) - IR
Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks down at his thumb while walking off the field against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium on November 01, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Bryan M. Bennett, Getty Images)
Jalen Hurts, PHI (calf thrombosis) - IR
Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to throw the ball during the 2026 NFL London Games match between Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 11, 2026 in London, England.
(Ryan Pierse, Getty Images)
Sam Darnold, SEA (quad) - Out Week 9
Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter of the game at Lumen Field on November 02, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Olivia Vanni, Getty Images)
Christian McCaffrey, SF (hamstring) - DNP Wednesday
Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch against Xavier Watts #31 of the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 25, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
A.J. Brown of the New England Patriots reacts after beinginjured in a play against the Seattle Seahawksduring the third quarter in the game at Lumen Field on September 09, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
Deshaun Watson, CLE (concussion) - Out
Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns goes down during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on November 01, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Justin K. Aller, Getty Images)
Mike Evans, SF (achilles) - DNP Wednesday
Mike Evans #5 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of the game at Levi's Stadium on October 19, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.
(Lachlan Cunningham, Getty Images)
Deebo Samuel Sr., SF (hamstring) - DNP Wednesday
Deebo Samuel Sr. #19 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 17, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
Emeka Egbuka, TB (foot) - DNP Wednesday
Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs for yards during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 08, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
Jayden Reed #11 of the Green Bay Packers is taken off the field due to an injury against the New York Jets during the first half of the game at MetLife Stadium on September 20, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Treveyon Henderson of the New England Patriotslooks on prior to Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026, in Santa Clara, California.
Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saintson the sidelines before a preseason game between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on August 22, 2026, in Inglewood, California.
Myles Garrett #95 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up prior to the NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 11, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
De'Zhaun Stribling of the San Francisco 49ers is attended to by trainers after an injury in the second quarter of the NFL football game against Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 11, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia.
Isiah Pacheco of the Detroit Lionsduring Detroit Lions Training Camp at Detroit Lions Meijer Performance Center on July 29, 2026, in Allen Park, Michigan.
(Nic Antaya, Getty Images)
Jordyn Tyson, NO (hamstring) - Returns to practice
Jordyn Tyson of the New Orleans Saints participates in drills during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on July 30, 2026, in Metairie, Louisiana.
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
Christian Kirk, SF (calf) - Questionable
Christian Kirk of the Jacksonville Jaguars is introduced against the San Francisco 49ers during the game at EverBank Field on November 12, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
Ricky Pearsall, SF (knee) - Out for season
Ricky Pearsall of the San Francisco 49ers works out during training camp practice at SAP Performance Facility on July 27, 2026, in Santa Clara, California.
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
Chris Brazzell, CAR (knee) - Out for season
Chris Brazzell II of the Carolina Panthers warms up during the Carolina Panthers Training Camp at Carolina Panthers Practice Fields on July 23, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
Jayden Higgins, HOU (knee) - Out for season
Jayden Higgins of the Houston Texans catches a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium on January 04, 2026, in Houston, Texas.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
1/20
Notable injuries throughout the 2026 NFL season
Lamar Jackson, BAL (right thumb) - IR
Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks down at his thumb while walking off the field against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium on November 01, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Bryan M. Bennett, Getty Images)
1/20
Notable injuries throughout the 2026 NFL season
Lamar Jackson, BAL (right thumb) - IR
Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks down at his thumb while walking off the field against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium on November 01, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Bryan M. Bennett, Getty Images)
2/20
Notable injuries throughout the 2026 NFL season
Jalen Hurts, PHI (calf thrombosis) - IR
Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to throw the ball during the 2026 NFL London Games match between Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 11, 2026 in London, England.
(Ryan Pierse, Getty Images)
3/20
Notable injuries throughout the 2026 NFL season
Sam Darnold, SEA (quad) - Out Week 9
Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter of the game at Lumen Field on November 02, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Olivia Vanni, Getty Images)
4/20
Notable injuries throughout the 2026 NFL season
Christian McCaffrey, SF (hamstring) - DNP Wednesday
Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch against Xavier Watts #31 of the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 25, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
A.J. Brown of the New England Patriots reacts after beinginjured in a play against the Seattle Seahawksduring the third quarter in the game at Lumen Field on September 09, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
6/20
Notable injuries throughout the 2026 NFL season
Deshaun Watson, CLE (concussion) - Out
Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns goes down during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on November 01, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Justin K. Aller, Getty Images)
7/20
Notable injuries throughout the 2026 NFL season
Mike Evans, SF (achilles) - DNP Wednesday
Mike Evans #5 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter of the game at Levi's Stadium on October 19, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.
(Lachlan Cunningham, Getty Images)
8/20
Notable injuries throughout the 2026 NFL season
Deebo Samuel Sr., SF (hamstring) - DNP Wednesday
Deebo Samuel Sr. #19 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 17, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
9/20
Notable injuries throughout the 2026 NFL season
Emeka Egbuka, TB (foot) - DNP Wednesday
Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs for yards during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 08, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
Jayden Reed #11 of the Green Bay Packers is taken off the field due to an injury against the New York Jets during the first half of the game at MetLife Stadium on September 20, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Treveyon Henderson of the New England Patriotslooks on prior to Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026, in Santa Clara, California.
Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saintson the sidelines before a preseason game between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on August 22, 2026, in Inglewood, California.
Myles Garrett #95 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up prior to the NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 11, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
De'Zhaun Stribling of the San Francisco 49ers is attended to by trainers after an injury in the second quarter of the NFL football game against Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 11, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia.
Isiah Pacheco of the Detroit Lionsduring Detroit Lions Training Camp at Detroit Lions Meijer Performance Center on July 29, 2026, in Allen Park, Michigan.
(Nic Antaya, Getty Images)
16/20
Notable injuries throughout the 2026 NFL season
Jordyn Tyson, NO (hamstring) - Returns to practice
Jordyn Tyson of the New Orleans Saints participates in drills during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on July 30, 2026, in Metairie, Louisiana.
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
17/20
Notable injuries throughout the 2026 NFL season
Christian Kirk, SF (calf) - Questionable
Christian Kirk of the Jacksonville Jaguars is introduced against the San Francisco 49ers during the game at EverBank Field on November 12, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
18/20
Notable injuries throughout the 2026 NFL season
Ricky Pearsall, SF (knee) - Out for season
Ricky Pearsall of the San Francisco 49ers works out during training camp practice at SAP Performance Facility on July 27, 2026, in Santa Clara, California.
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
19/20
Notable injuries throughout the 2026 NFL season
Chris Brazzell, CAR (knee) - Out for season
Chris Brazzell II of the Carolina Panthers warms up during the Carolina Panthers Training Camp at Carolina Panthers Practice Fields on July 23, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
20/20
Notable injuries throughout the 2026 NFL season
Jayden Higgins, HOU (knee) - Out for season
Jayden Higgins of the Houston Texans catches a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium on January 04, 2026, in Houston, Texas.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
Rams cornerback depth chart
Josh Wallace has played well in the absences of Watson and McDuffie, and his number will continue to be called upon by defensive coordinator Chris Shula through the rest of 2026. In his third season out of UMass and Michigan, Wallace has an interception, five passes defended, 29 tackles and a tackle for loss. His 77.3 PFF rating ranks ninth among active cornerbacks.
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Emmanuel Forbes Jr. also will be expected to get more reps.
