The Chiefs are getting an unexpected lift as they push to accomplish the NFL’s first-ever three-peat.
Star cornerback Jaylen Watson, who has been out since Week 7 with a broken fibula, was designated for return Friday and set to practice, Fox Sports reported.
Watson was previously thought to be out of the season after suffering a serious leg injury and being designated for return would seem to point to the Kansas City star returning for the playoffs.
The Chiefs have already locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC and are not playing their starters for at least two weeks, electing to sit most of their key players in Week 18 against the Broncos.
Kansas City’s first playoff game will come no earlier than Jan. 18, giving Watson significant time to ramp up for the playoffs.
Watson showed off his mobility in a video posted to Instagram where he was seen shuffling, backpedaling and pivoting off that injured leg.
Fox Sports reported that Watson “has been pushing very hard behind the scenes with the Chiefs’ training staff to get back on the field for the playoffs.”
A broken fibula typically sidelines players for several months, though recovery times can differ.
The Chiefs medical staff is well versed in such an injury, though, as running back Isiah Pacheco also dealt with a broken fibula and returned in roughly 10 1/2 weeks.
Watson is a critical part of the Chiefs’ defense, as he’s rated their fifth-best defensive player according to Pro Football Focus.
The defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA) stat showed how the Chiefs’ defense really fell off when he went down with an injury.
The Chiefs’ defense was top 3 in DVOA before Week 7 but it dropped as low as No. 15 before rebounding to its current No. 9 ranking in the league.
Watson has six passes defended in just six games played.
