Early in free agency, Kansas City signed veteran cornerback Kristian Fulton to a lucrative two-year contract. A month later, the team drafted California cornerback Nohl Williams in the third round — likely in preparation for Watson becoming a free agent after the season.
Unfortunately, Fulton missed most of training camp as he was recovering from a knee procedure. After returning to start the season, he then left Week 2’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles with an ankle injury. For the next few weeks, he was either held out from (or limited during) the team’s practices — and then in the month leading into Kansas City’s Week 10 bye, he was a weekly scratch on game day.
In his absence, Williams’ defensive snap share varied greatly — from as high as 69% in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders to only 7% against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5. Pro Football Focus has given Williams a solid 72.6 grade for his limited snaps.
Then in Sunday’s Week 11 contest against the Denver Broncos, Fulton returned to the lineup, playing nine defensive snaps. Williams did not see the field on defense.
Before Thursday’s practice, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo explained how he and defensive backs coach Dave Merritt worked through that timeline.
“We’ve been trying to get him back out there for a month,” said Spagnuolo of Fulton, “but first it was [his] health. Then, when we finally got over that hurdle — when Dave and I talked — it was, ‘Is he ready mentally?’ You’ve got to remember — and this is where I talked to Kristian — he’s been in a tough situation.