Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid appeared in front of the media on Monday for his weekly Zoom press conference. He discussed the loss of Jaylen Watson and JuJu Smith-Schuster in Week 7 due to injury.
“(Jaylen) Watson, it’s not, it’s not going to be good, and he won’t be ready this week. JuJu (Smith-Schuster) won’t be ready this week,” said Reid. “So two different things there.”
After Watson left with the injury, he was replaced by Nazeeh Johnson, who had already lost a year of his career due to injury. Reid provided his thoughts on his performance and future increased role with teammate Joshua Williams.
“Every week, he’s (Nazeeh Johnson) gotten better and stronger, and so that’s the main thing, he’s a good player, he has the confidence in his leg and the leg strong, and that just happens by playing,” said Reid. “So every week, it’s been a positive going forward, and he’s ready for the spot. Two’s (Joshua Williams) also been in there. He’s done it, and so he knows what it takes. And two different body types, and we’ll need both of them, and they both need to step up. Watson was having a heck of a year, so now these guys have an opportunity here to step in and do the same.”
Watson’s injury appears serious enough for him to miss significant time, which allows another young secondary member to step up. The defense had three interceptions in Week 7, so there is optimism that the Chiefs have enough depth.
