The non-contact damage Christian Watson suffered Sunday has produced a worst-case situation for the Packers. Forward of their playoff outing, the Pack will probably be with out Watson. Inexperienced Bay could also be with out him for extra video games past this season.
Watson suffered a torn ACL and extra injury in Week 18, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. Whereas gamers often make Week 1 returns after late-season accidents, additionally it is not too unusual for reserve/PUP listing stays to begin. The extra injury the third-year large receiver sustained could key such a transfer.
This damage got here after Watson was iffy to play in opposition to the Bears with a knee damage. He had missed two practices final week however logged a restricted session Friday. Watson suited up for a Packers group that ended up resting some starters, even because the NFC’s No. 6 seed was on the road. Jordan Love shouldn’t be believed to have suffered a major hand damage, however one among his prime weapons won’t be obtainable for the Packers in these playoffs. And it is going to be price monitoring later whether or not Watson will start his contract 12 months on time.
Accidents have dogged Watson all through his profession. This previous offseason, the previous second-round decide saw a hamstring specialist to find out the reason for his repeated points. After lacking eight video games final season, Watson returned to play 15 in Yr 3. Whereas he averaged 21.4 yards per reception, the North Dakota State alum solely caught 29 passes. The 620 receiving yards had been nonetheless a career-high whole, because the Packers have often used a bevy of rookie-contract wideouts over the previous two seasons. Watson nonetheless operated as Inexperienced Bay’s prime deep risk, which can make an upset in Philadelphia harder.
The Packers nonetheless have a bunch of choices obtainable heading into that recreation, because the group has continued to make use of the draft — after the primary spherical, in fact — to stockpile receiver choices. Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and Tucker Kraft are wholesome for the Packers, who’re the NFC’s No. 7 seed. Watson, nonetheless, has confirmed to be a promising downfield playmaker who opens up the offense.
Nonetheless, three different Packers (Reed, Kraft, Doubs) topped 600 yards in one of many NFL’s extra balanced assaults. Inexperienced Bay will try and get by whereas Watson tackles his most critical damage but. However his long-term future is instantly a lot cloudier.
