The Kansas City Chiefs’ emergency sirens went off during practice, since it is way too early to be dealing with injuries with the season just around the corner.
Justin Watson left Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the team surprised after sustaining what appears to be a major injury, putting him on the ground for many minutes before being forced to leave practice while trainers examined Watson’s left foot.
Justin Watson sustained an injury while making a routine pass reception, leaving fans and teammates breathless. According to ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher, Watson was assessed by trainers on the field before being carried to the locker room. The extent of his injury is unknown, but his possible absence may substantially alter the Chiefs’ lineup, leaving some hope in the air given that the wide receiver was able to walk to the sideline, according to The Athletic.
A glimmer of hope
There may be a silver lining after all: Watson was observed seated in the cart’s front seat, rather than reclining in the rear. This could indicate that his injury isn’t as severe as initially thought, providing a glimmer of hope for a faster recovery.
With Watson sidelined, other receivers may have an opportunity to shine on the first team. Xavier Worthy is still out due to illness, so the competition for those prized reps heats up. Kadarius Toney, Mecole Hardman, Skyy Moore, Justyn Ross, and Nikko Remigio are all expected to benefit from more practice time as the season progresses.
If Watson is unable to return soon, it will spark a fight among the Chiefs’ backup receivers, all of whom want to step up and develop their careers. However, there is hope that Watson’s ailment is not significant and that he can return to training shortly.