Chiefs rookie shares secret about one-handed interception: ‘Not a lot of people know’

Chiefs rookie cornerback Jaylen Watson already had a high degree of difficulty when he pulled down a one-handed interception in Kansas City’s 27-20 victory last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Turns out, the game-changing play was even more challenging than it first appeared.

Watson revealed Wednesday in the Chiefs’ locker room that his right hand — the one he used to bring down Trevor Lawrence’s pass — has not been at full strength.

“Not a lot of people know I broke my hand this year. I’ve been getting treatment ever since,” Watson said. “It just so happened that was the hand that he threw it to.”

Watch the replay, and one can see that Watson’s right hand is taped as he goes up for Lawrence’s pass in the fourth quarter.

“He was still able to catch it,” Chiefs safety Bryan Cook said. “I’m like, ‘Dang, that’s a helluva play.’”

Coach Andy Reid first mentioned Watson injuring his hand following Week 11’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Watson received five snaps the following week against the Los Angeles Rams, before not playing in Week 13’s road game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Since then, Watson has played at least 20 defensive snaps in each contest, while getting out there for 48, 47 and 49 plays the last three weeks.

“That’s a great job from the training staff,” Watson said, “to get me ready and prepare me to be in this moment.”

Watson, a seventh-round pick out of Washington State, also says he’s become more comfortable in recent weeks. Some of the credit, he said, goes to veterans on the team for teaching him how to analyze game film better.

“The game is slowing down for me,” Watson said. “I’m starting to see things before it happens.”

A significant challenge looms this week in the AFC Championship Game. The Cincinnati Bengals feature a top passing attack, led by quarterback Joe Burrow and what Watson calls “probably the best receiving corps we’re going to be playing this year.”

That group includes Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, who all have flashed production in Cincinnati’s three previous wins over Kansas City.

“We’re just going to have to pick it up again,” Watson said. “We’re playing a great offensive team.”

Though this season’s final story is far from written, Watson admitted Wednesday he didn’t expect things to play out as they have.

In addition to Saturday’s late interception, Watson also had a 99-yard pick-six in Week 2 against the Chargers that ended up as one of the team’s most important plays of the season as part of a 27-24 home win.

“I’m blessed,” Watson said. “It’s a blessing to be here, a blessing to be on a great team and (with) a great organization. So just taking it all in.”

If nothing else, Watson says he won’t be overwhelmed by the moment when playing in his second NFL postseason game this weekend.

“I’ve always been confident in myself, confident in my abilities. So none of that will ever change,” Watson said. “We’re going to see what happens Sunday.”