COMMERCE CITY, CO (October 16, 2017) – The Colorado Rapids announced today that midfielder Jared Watts had shoulder surgery earlier this month. He will miss the final game of the year this Sunday, but is off-season and preseason will not be affected significantly.
Midfielder Jared Watts Undergoes Shoulder Surgery
Watts played in 20 league games this season. Since being drafted by the MLS club in 2014, he has has 71 total caps and has featured as both a holding midfielder and center back.
“Jared Watts has just had surgery,” Rapids Interim Head Coach Steve Cooke told Last Word on Soccer, adding “he’s not going to be considered for selection for the rest of the season.”
The timing of the surgery was based on circumstance more than anything. The 25-year-old was given a straight red card in a game against Montreal Impact a few weeks ack. The MLS Disciplinary Committee reviewed the play in question and added an extra game suspension. With that, Watts would only be available for the Decision Day match at Seattle Sounders FC.
“He would have continued, but given the fact that he was suspended [for the last two games, home to FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake], it would only be one game left on turf in Seattle. We didn’t want to risk further injury,” Cooke said.
His form has been up and down this year (like much of the club), and perhaps this injury was a factor. Watts had been dealing with this issue since the summer:
“Jared has had this issue of a torn labrum for about three months and he has continued to work, continued to play, continue to make certain he doesn’t abandon the group. He’s played through that.”
Cooke told Last Word on Soccer that this should not be affect the off-season for Watts. The timing of the surgery will allow him to start his 2018 preseason on schedule. His rehab and recovery will not delay or hinder him next year.
