How Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson battled through torn labrum last season

In the first of his two NFL seasons, Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson came up with three interceptions, all of them game-ball important.

There was his first, a 99-yard touchdown return against the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth quarter of his second game, a play that turned a tied game into a Chiefs victory.

The next two helped the Chiefs to playoff victories over the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cincinnati Bengals on their way to a Super Bowl triumph. Watson started all three of the Chiefs’ playoff games that year.

But even in a pick-less sophomore season, Watson had his moments: none bigger that his recovery of a muffed punt that set up the Chiefs’ first touchdown in their Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Watson accomplished something just as impressive. He suffered a torn labrum in Week 2, and missed only one game the rest of the season, including the playoffs.

Watson said in March that he could have gotten shoulder surgery right after the injury or played through it.

“The worst part was practices, I wasn’t taking anything for the pain,” Watson said. “It was popping out and popping back in.”

Yikes.

“I just love playing football,” Watson said. “I could play through it. I just had to get through the practices.”

The Chiefs and Watson have played the recovery cautiously, and the former seventh-round pick is back on the field as a full participant. He didn’t play in the preseason opener at Jacksonville but is looking more fit as the Chiefs prepare for their second game, at home against the Detroit Lions on Saturday.

With L’Jarius Sneed off to the Tennessee Titans, Watson is battling Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson to become the team’s No. 2 cornerback behind Trent McDuffie. At the moment, there isn’t a clear leader.

“It’s a new year,” Watson said. “With L.J. leaving there’s a spot open. ... It’s a healthy competition.”

Over the summer, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo brought the trio together to emphasize the importance of the task and prepare them for the competition.

Watson has enjoyed some training camp highlights. A week ago, his blanket coverage against Nikko Remigio resulted in an interception.

Williams got the start last week in Jacksonville and may be running ahead because of availability. Johnson also has missed camp time with an injury.

But however it plays out, Watson said that group of defensive backs, who all came to the Chiefs through the 2022 draft, won’t stop encouraging each other.

“We’ve been doing this for three years. It has always been healthy competition,” Watson said. “We root for each other’s success. Whoever takes the spot is going to be worthy of it.”