Watson (knee) won't play this Sunday against Cincinnati, even though Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Friday that the wideout has looked good at practice this week, Paul Bretl of the Wisconsin State Journal reports.
Coming back from an ACL tear suffered in Week 18 last season, Watson returned to practice Monday and then was listed as a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday. It sounds like he could play as soon as Week 7 or 8, but it won't happen this Sunday in a game where the Packers are favored by nearly two touchdowns.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Limited again Thursday
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Watson (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
Since the Packers designated him for return from the reserve/PUP list Monday, Watson has operated with a cap on his practice reps through two sessions, giving him just one more chance to prove his health this week before the team potentially makes a ruling on his availability for Sunday's contest against the Bengals. Watson is seeking his first game action since tearing the ACL in his right knee Week 18 of last season.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Limited in return to practice
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Watson (knee) was limited at Wednesday's practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
The Packers designated Watson for return from the reserve/PUP list Monday, which marked the first step as he seeks his first game action since Week 18 of last season, when he sustained a torn ACL in his right knee. Wednesday's practice was padded, and Watson was spotted running routes and catching passes during the portion open to the media, per Ryan Wood of USA Today. Watson will have two more chances to mix into drills this week, with Friday's injury report potentially giving him a chance to play Sunday against the Bengals.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Week 6 Waiver Priority List
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Watson (knee) returned to practice Monday for the first time all season, and he could be active for the Packers in the next three weeks. He's worth stashing now in all leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAB, especially if you have an IR spot. When healthy, we'll see how Watson fits in with Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, and Jayden Reed (collarbone) will also return to action later this season. But Watson has plenty of upside when active, so stash him now if you can.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Expects to practice after Week 4
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Watson (ACL) said Monday he expects to return to practice upon his window to do so opening after Week 4, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
Watson is recovering from a right ACL tear and has opened the 2025 campaign on the reserve/PUP list, so the earliest time his 21-day practice window can open will be Week 5. The Packers are on bye that week, making Week 6 against the Bengals the earliest likely possibility for Watson's regular-season debut. Green Bay signed Watson to a one-year, $13.25 million contract extension less than one week ago, signaling confidence in the 2022 second-round pick's recovery and ability to contribute on offense. With Jayden Reed (collarbone) expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks, Watson could immediately step into a significant role once he's healthy.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Nabs one-year contract extension
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Watson (knee) agreed to a one-year, $13.25 million contract extension with the Packers on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Watson has opened the campaign on the reserve/PUP list while he continues to recover from a torn ACL in his right knee, which he suffered in Week 18 of last season. The wide receiver entered 2025 on the final year of his rookie deal, but he now will remain in Green Bay at least one additional season. Watson compiled a career-high 620 receiving yards with two touchdowns on 29 catches over 15 games in 2024 before going down with the knee injury. The 26-year-old will remain out for the first four games of the season, but he could return to action as soon as Week 6 versus the Bengals on Oct. 12.
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Packers' Christian Watson: On reserve/PUP list to begin season
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The Packers moved Watson (knee) to the reserve/PUP list Tuesday, Wes Hodkiewicz of the team's official site reports.
Since tearing the ACL in his right knee in Week 18 of last season, Watson has progressed quickly through his rehab, but the Packers will take a cautious approach with his return. Green Bay's receiving corps to begin the season will feature Jayden Reed (foot), rookie first-round pick Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks (calf) in prominent roles, with Savion Williams (hamstring) and Malik Heath as depth. Watson's first chance to return to action will come in Week 5 against the Bengals.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Could return around Week 5
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Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday that Watson (knee) likely will begin the regular season on the PUP list but will be "chomping at the bit" to return, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
The Packers hope to have Watson back in October after he's spent the minimum of four games on the PUP list. That's about as soon as anyone could've hoped for, given that Watson suffered an ACL tear in Week 18 last season. It won't be surprising if he ends up missing more than four weeks, but it does seem his rehab is coming along quickly. Whether he's a full-time player at any point this season is another question, as the Packers also have Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed (foot), Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks (calf) as strong candidates for WR snaps and targets.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Looking good in recovery
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Watson, who is expected to begin the season on the reserve/PUP list, hasn't looked like a player recovering from a torn ACL during training camp, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.
Watson suffered an ACL tear in his right knee in Week 18 of last season, but he appears to have made significant strides in his recovery. Despite that positive impression, the wideout opened training camp on the active/PUP list and seems destined to move to reserve/PUP on cut-down day Aug. 26. The Packers' medical staff tends to be overly cautious with rehabs from serious injuries, so even if it seems as though Watson could suit up during the first four weeks of the season, he'll likely continue to build up strength in his right leg instead given his history of hamstring issues.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Believed to have torn ACL
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Watson (knee) is believed to have sustained a torn right ACL and additional damage to his knee during Sunday's loss to the Bears, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Watson's injury timing is devastating both for his odds of being ready for the start of the 2025 season and for a Packers team hoping to kick off a playoff push beginning with Sunday's wild-card round matchup in Philadelphia. The 2022 second-round pick suffered a non-contact injury in the second quarter of Sunday's loss to Chicago and subsequently was carted to the locker room. Dontayvion Wicks will figure to step into the No. 3 role behind Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs (illness) in the wake of Watson's injury, with Bo Melton and Malik Heath also now slated for expanded roles.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Serious knee injury feared
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Coach Matt LaFleur didn't express optimism regarding the right knee injury that forced Watson out of Sunday's loss to the Bears, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports. "I'm not super confident in that right now," LaFleur said.
Watson appeared to suffer a non-contact injury while running a route early in the second quarter. He required assistance to reach the sideline and then was carted to the locker room before being ruled out after halftime. The exact nature of Watson's health concern isn't known but should be clarified in due time once the necessary battery of tests are undertaken. The Packers now have a few question marks in their receiving corps, as Romeo Doubs was sidelined due to an illness Sunday.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Ruled out of Sunday's game
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Watson (knee) won't return to Sunday's contest against the Bears.
Watson needed a cart to get to the locker room early in the second quarter after he went down in the middle of a route. Initially deemed questionable to return, he now will remain out for the rest of Week 18 and potentially into the playoffs if his right knee injury eventually is considered to be a serious one. As for the rest of Sunday, with Romeo Doubs (illness) also sidelined, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton and Malik Heath will compose the Packers' receiving corps.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Friday to be key for Week 18 status
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Head coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged Thursday that Watson (knee) likely "would have to get some work in" at Friday's practice in order to have a chance to play Sunday against the Bears, Bill Huber of SI.com reports.
Watson hasn't practiced since sustaining a bruised left knee Week 16 against the Saints, but he at least warmed up with his teammates Thursday for the first time since then, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Friday's session thus will be key for Watson's odds to return to action this weekend. During this past Sunday's loss at Minnesota, Dontayvion Wicks was the clear beneficiary among Packers wide receivers with Watson sidelined, ranking second at the position in snap share (73 percent) behind Romeo Doubs (86 percent) and ahead of Jayden Reed (71 percent), Bo Melton (25 percent) and Malik Heath (24 percent).
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Packers' Christian Watson: Not expected to play Sunday
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Watson (knee), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Vikings, isn't expected to play, Jay Glazer reported on "Fox NFL Sunday."
Watson didn't practice in any fashion this week while managing a bruised left knee, but head coach Matt LaFleur said Friday that the lack of on-field work wouldn't necessarily stop the wideout from suiting up Sunday. While this report suggests Watson seems unlikely to play, check for confirmation when Green Bay releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. With Watson expected to sit out, all of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks should be in store for slight boosts in their snap and target projections.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Trending toward sitting Sunday
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Watson (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Vikings but is considered unlikely to play, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Watson didn't practice in any fashion this week while managing a bruised left knee, but head coach Matt LaFleur said Friday that the lack of on-field work wouldn't necessarily stop the wideout from suiting up Sunday, per Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site. Ultimately, Watson doesn't seem to have made enough progress in his recovery from the injury to play against the Vikings, and he's expected to be formally ruled out when Green Bay releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. With Watson expected to sit out, all of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks should be in store for slight boosts in their snap and target projections.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Another DNP on Thursday
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Watson (knee) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
Watson attempted to play through a left knee injury that he sustained during Monday's win against the Saints but ultimately was shut down. On Tuesday, coach Matt LaFleur called the issue "just a bruise" and noted that Watson's availability for Sunday's game at Minnesota would be determined by his on-field work this week, per Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site. With none to speak of yet through Thursday, Watson may be trending in the wrong direction, but his situation may receive some clarity as soon as the team posts its final practice report of the week Friday. Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton and Malik Heath all could stand to benefit behind Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs if Watson is limited or out this weekend.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Gets positive update on knee
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Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday that Watson's left knee injury is "just a bruise" and suggested that the wideout's status for Sunday's game against the Vikings will be determined by his practice participation this week, Wes Hodkiewicz of the team's official site reports.
Watson had a scare during Monday's 34-0 win over New Orleans when a defender fell on the receiver following his 14-yard second-quarter carry. The wideout initially returned to the contest but was then removed in the third quarter and didn't return. LaFleur's update suggests that Watson could be able to suit up this weekend in Minnesota, though the 25-year-old may need to put in a full practice by Friday to avoid taking a designation into Sunday.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Eclipses century mark in loss
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Watson secured four of seven targets for 114 yards and lost a fumble in the Packers' 34-31 loss to the Lions on Thursday night.
Watson's night got off to an inconspicuous start when he lost a fumble after a 20-yard reception on the first play of the second quarter. While that mistake led to a Lions field goal, Watson came back to record a 59-yard catch on the Packers' second play of the second half, and he went on to add a 29-yard grab with just under eight minutes remaining in the contest. The game marked Watson's second over the 100-yard mark for the season, and he's recorded at least 67 receiving yards in three of the last four contests. Watson's production still is subject to some game-to-game volatility, but he could be in line for another robust role in a Week 15 road matchup against the Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 15, especially if Romeo Doubs (concussion) isn't able to make it back for that contest.
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Packers' Christian Watson: WRs to Sit
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I wanted to add Watson in every league heading into Week 12 against San Francisco. But I'm not ready to start him in most formats. He was awesome in Week 11 at Chicago with four catches for 150 yards on four targets, but that's just the second time all season he's scored more than 10.3 PPR points. And he only has two touchdowns all year. San Francisco might be without standout pass rusher Nick Bosa (hip), but the 49ers are still No. 10 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. Watson, Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs should all be considered No. 3 Fantasy receivers against San Francisco in Week 12.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Week 12 Adds (WR Preview)
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In non-PPR leagues, Watson is actually my favorite add. He has the ability to make your day in just one play, and he showed that last week with four catches for 150 yards. The downside is that four catches tied a season-high for Watson and that he only saw four targets in the game. In his prior three games, he had just 87 yards combined.
