The Kansas City Chiefs' wide receiver room was without Justin Watson for last week's win over the Los Angeles Chargers, although it appears that the veteran could be making his return for this weekend's road matchup against the Denver Broncos.
On Friday afternoon, head coach Andy Reid gave an update on Kansas City's injured players. Wideout Richie James is "close" to returning to practice from the injured reserve list and linebacker Nick Bolton is back in town after undergoing surgery on his previously dislocated wrist. When asked whether Watson is expected to play on Sunday, Reid responded with a yes. He also talked about how the 27-year-old has looked in practice while wearing a brace on his left arm.
"Yeah, he has a brace that he wears," Reid said. "But he's handled it well. Doesn't look like it's hindering him at all [from] catching the ball. I know initially when he put it on, it was awkward, but I think he's gotten used to it with all the reps he's had here."
Watson's injury was suffered in the fourth quarter of the last game between Kansas City and Denver on Oct. 12. The ailment was initially diagnosed as a dislocated elbow, but Reid later described it as a contusion instead. At that time, he added that the 27-year-old would avoid a trip on the injured reserve list. He got back on the practice field this week, being a full participant on Wednesday and Thursday before Reid spoke on Friday.
If Watson is indeed able to return for Week 8, that would be a massive bonus for Kansas City's offense. Despite being out of action for a game, the sixth-year man ranks third on the team in receiving yards and has the highest yards-per-reception average (21.9) on the entire squad. In six games this year, Watson has played 181 offensive snaps (44% of those available).
Rookie Rashee Rice has stepped up in recent weeks, and even Marquez Valdes-Scantling answered the call with a big-time performance against the Chargers last weekend. With Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney's impact being inconsistent, however, as well as Mecole Hardman still working his way back into the fold, Watson being available would help matters. Justyn Ross was placed on the commissioner's exempt list on Friday, too, so there should be plenty of snaps to go around for Watson should he make his official return to the lineup versus the same opponent he faced the last time he was on the field.
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