Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery as injuries continue to mount

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams suffered another significant blow to their injury-riddled roster Wednesday when head coach Sean McVay announced that cornerback Jaylen Watson will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, leaving the team without one of its most productive defensive players.

Watson had been attempting to play through the injury, but after consulting with doctors, the Rams determined that surgery was the best course of action rather than risk further damage. He will be placed on injured reserve and is expected to return next season.

"That's a big one, bummer for him," McVay said Wednesday. "He's been such a stud for us. He wanted to be able to play through it, just understanding the totality of it all and just some of the different things, recommended to be able to get that surgery and that'll put them on IR for the year, but he's been awesome. Whenever he gets back next year, we'll be better."

McVay said the risk of Watson aggravating the injury was too significant to allow him to continue playing. Although the shoulder could have been stabilized with additional support, doing so would have restricted his movement and potentially compromised his effectiveness.

"The likelihood of it coming out and doing further damage to it is a very high probability," McVay said. "You could strap it, but it would restrict his movement. Just some of the different things that we've received from our doctors, it's the right thing to do by him, even though it sucks because he's been such a bright spot for us."

Watson's absence creates another challenge for a Rams defense that has already dealt with injuries throughout the season. McVay praised the cornerback's toughness, leadership and willingness to play through pain, recalling a moment during the team's Week 7 game against the Las Vegas Raiders when Watson was receiving intravenous fluids because of cramping.

"A couple of weeks ago, he's cramping at the Raiders game and he says when he's getting an IV, 'Give me half a bag. I need to get back out there,'" McVay said. "He's been awesome. He's been playing through some different stuff, but he's been really productive and it's unfortunate that that happened."

Quarterback Matthew Stafford echoed those sentiments, describing Watson as a physical presence who brought an edge to the Rams' defense.

"It's a big one," Stafford said. "Obviously, he's a really talented player, really physical corner who tackles. He had some fantastic games for us this season in a short amount of time that he was working out there. He's a guy that brought it every single day, a guy that'll be missed for sure. He's a big-time talent and a guy that was an enforcer for us on the edge."

With Watson sidelined, the Rams will lean more heavily on Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Josh Wallace, both of whom have already been called upon to play significant snaps this season. McVay credited defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake for preparing the group to handle the team's mounting injuries.

"Josh has played a lot of snaps. I thought 'E-Forbes' really played well last week," McVay said. "Both of those guys have been tapped in. They've been ready to step up and it seems like there have been a lot of games that we've had our top corners get banged up and they've played a lot more."

The Rams could also explore adding defensive help, although McVay expressed confidence in the players already on the roster. The secondary is dealing with additional injuries, with cornerback Trent McDuffie missing Wednesday's practice because of a back injury and safety Kam Curl sitting out with a foot injury.

The injury news wasn't entirely negative Wednesday as the Rams opened the practice windows for outside linebacker Myles Garrett and tight end Terrance Ferguson, potentially setting the stage for both players to return against the Washington Commanders this weekend.

Garrett, who has been sidelined with a knee injury, was scheduled to participate in approximately half of Wednesday's practice repetitions as the Rams evaluate his readiness to return.

"It's exciting. It's great to be able to get him back out there," McVay said. "He's been doing a lot of good stuff on his own and some of the drill work and then obviously with the rehab. We are certainly excited to get him back out there."

McVay said the team remains hopeful Garrett can play Sunday but will determine his availability based on how he responds to practice.

"Hopefully, the expectation is he's ready to rock this week," McVay said.

Ferguson, who has been recovering from an ankle injury, also returned to practice on a limited basis. Stafford said the rookie tight end could provide another boost to an offense that has been forced to adjust to injuries at several positions.

"He's a young talented player, a guy that plays a bunch of different roles for us," Stafford said. "Obviously, he's a really explosive player in the pass game and a guy that's just getting his feet wet in the NFL. Looking forward to getting more opportunities with him."

The Rams also welcomed back running back Ronnie Rivers, who was expected to practice fully after recovering from a calf injury. Rivers will be activated and could contribute on special teams, including returning kickoffs, after Dean Connors suffered a broken hand that will send him to injured reserve.

Other injuries remain a concern. Offensive lineman Steve Avila, linebacker Grant Stuard and receiver Jordan Whittington were limited Wednesday, while tight end Colby Parkinson and long snapper Joe Cardona did not practice.

McVay acknowledged that the volume of injuries this season has surpassed even the challenges the Rams experienced in 2022, when injuries devastated their offensive line and contributed to a disappointing season.

"I've been the coach for 10 years and I know '22 was a season that we had a lot of injuries, particularly at the offensive line, but this has been more than any year including '22," McVay said, pointing to the number of important players missing across the offense, defense and special teams.

Stafford, meanwhile, downplayed concerns about his right elbow after he was seen leaving the locker room with an ice pack following Sunday's victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

The 38-year-old quarterback said icing his throwing arm has been a regular part of his routine and insisted he has not missed any practice or game repetitions because of soreness.

"Listen, I'm 38 years old trying to keep up with these young bucks," Stafford said. "A little bit of soreness and stuff that is not uncommon this time of year. Again, I haven't missed a rep at practice. I haven't missed a rep in a game and I feel good. I'm not too worried about it."

For McVay, Sunday's trip to Washington will also represent a return to the organization where he spent seven seasons developing as an NFL coach before taking over the Rams in 2017.

McVay credited former Washington coaches Mike Shanahan and Jay Gruden with helping shape his coaching philosophy and said the relationships he developed there remain meaningful.

But with the Rams attempting to navigate another wave of injuries, McVay's immediate focus remains on finding ways to keep his team competitive despite losing another key contributor for the season.

"That's why you just say, 'Let's just take it a day at a time,'" McVay said.