Jaylen Watson to Undergo Surgery on Injury, Latest News on Rams CB's Status and Return Timeline

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson will undergo surgery on his right shoulder and miss the remainder of the season, per head coach Sean McVay to reporters on Wednesday.

Watson initially suffered a dislocated right shoulder in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos. He missed one game but was able to play the next four contests.

However, Watson suffered an aggravation of that injury last Sunday in the third quarter of a 24-9 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. He missed the remainder of the game.

The Rams signed Watson, who played his first four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, to a three-year, $51 million contract with $34 million guaranteed. He was part of a massive defensive overhaul that featured the Rams trading for Cleveland Browns edge-rusher Myles Garrett and Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie.

In seven starts, Watson amassed 24 tackles (14 solo), nine pass breakups and one interception. Opposing quarterbacks only completed 50 percent of their passes in his coverage, per Pro Football Reference . The Rams are also seventh in fewest passing yards allowed per attempt.

So this is a tough loss for the Rams, who have been shorthanded this year. Garrett has only played one game after undergoing knee surgery, but he is practicing this week. McDuffie missed two games with a groin injury and is now dealing with a back injury that kept him out of practice Wednesday.

As for Watson, he dealt with a dislocated shoulder before in 2021 when he played for Washington State, per Rams staff writer Zach Edwards .

Unfortunately, Watson will miss the rest of 2026 after suffering another dislocated shoulder plus a re-aggravation of the injury.

Hopefully he recovers well and returns to 100 percent ahead of 2027. In the meantime, Emmanuel Forbes should see more snaps.

Forbes, a former first-round pick of the Washington Commanders in 2023, is in his fourth NFL season. He's played in all eight games this year, amassing nine tackles and a pair of pass breakups.