Overview
- Coach Sean McVay confirmed Wednesday that Watson will have shoulder surgery and be placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the 2026 season.
- Watson re‑aggravated a shoulder he first dislocated in Week 3 and had played seven games for the Rams this year with 24 tackles, one interception and nine passes defended.
- The Rams expect Josh Wallace and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. to assume larger roles at outside corner and have promoted and signed additional cornerbacks to add depth to the roster.
- Los Angeles opened 21‑day practice windows for Myles Garrett and Terrance Ferguson the same week as Watson’s surgery was announced, leaving their game availability to be decided based on how they respond in practice.
- Watson’s loss increases pressure on a team already coping with multiple injuries and could push the Rams to look for an external cornerback before the NFL trade deadline while also testing internal depth and game plans.