Watson tore his ACL in Week 18 of the 2024 season and is a serious question mark for the 2025 season. Once he's healthy he will have to battle Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks for targets and playing time in a crowded Packers WR room. Watson's career 9.6 yards per target is elite, but injuries and the Packers' philosophy of spreading the ball around have mitigated his weekly upside. He's likely only worth a draft spot if he starts the year on PUP and your league has multiple IR spots you can use to stash him. It is more likely he spends the season on your waiver than contributes to your Fantasy team.
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: Progressing, but won't be rushed
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Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said Wednesday that Watson (knee) is "a freak" and "pressing to get out there" but still won't be rushed into practices this summer, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.
Watson suffered his ACL tear in Week 18 last season, giving him almost exactly nine months between the date of the injury and Week 1 of 2025. He's starting training camp on the PUP list, with Gutekunst's comments Wednesday suggesting Watson might remain out of practice for a while. Week 1 may still be a big ask, but it at least sounds like Watson is on schedule (or ahead of it) in his rehab process, with a chance to contribute in the first half of the season. The Packers open training camp with Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks are their top wide receivers.
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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: Listed as questionable
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Watson (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears.
Watson also was listed as questionable last week and didn't end up playing after missing every practice. He also missed practice this Wednesday and Thursday, but a return to limited participation Friday perhaps gives him a chance to play versus Chicago. It's possible Watson comes down to a game-time decision ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, with Dontayvion Wicks likely to be the main beneficiary of extra snaps if Watson ends up inactive.
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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: Sits out practice Wednesday
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Watson (knee) didn't practice Wednesday.
Watson hasn't practiced since suffering a left knee bruise in the Packers' Week 16 win over the Saints, but he was listed as questionable ahead of this past Sunday's eventual loss to Minnesota before ending up on the inactive list. A return to practice Thursday or Friday would give Watson a much better shot to play this Sunday against the Bears.
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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: Team-high 56 receiving yards
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Watson caught three of six targets for 56 yards in Sunday's 30-13 win over the Seahawks.
Watson used his downfield playmaking ability to generate multiple chunk gains for the Packers, securing a 36-yard reception in the second quarter and drawing a 39-yard pass interference penalty in the third. He led Green Bay in receiving yards and tied Jayden Reed for the team lead in targets, though Romeo Doubs stole the show with two touchdown catches in the latter's return from a concussion. Watson usually sees a few deep passes thrown his way per game and will look to make the most of those opportunities in Week 16 against the Saints.
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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: Contained in Week 12
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Watson had one carry for four yards in Sunday's 38-10 victory over the 49ers.
Watson entered Sunday's contest on the heels of a career-best 150-yard performance, but he was targeted only three times in Green Bay's lopsided win, and a drop on a potential 49-yard touchdown pass right before halftime proved particularly costly for fantasy players. Watson did lead Packers receivers in snaps for the first time all season in Week 12, and he could be busier than usual again if Romeo Doubs (concussion) is unable to go Thursday against the Dolphins. Either way, Watson will be facing a Miami defense that has contained wide receivers as well as any team in the league.
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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.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Week 12 Waiver Priority List
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Watson had his best game of the season in Week 11 at Chicago with four catches for 150 yards on four targets for 19 PPR points. It was even more impressive when you consider that Jordan Love attempted only 17 passes against the Bears, and Watson had at least six targets in each of his previous two games. He's capable of big games on a weekly basis, and hopefully he's about to get hot heading into Week 12 against San Francisco. Watson should be added in all leagues for 10-15 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Week 11 Waiver Priority List
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I'm still convinced that Watson will make some big plays down the stretch, and he went into his bye in Week 10 with 13 targets in his previous two games. I want to stash Watson on the bench if possible, and he could eventually emerge as a weekly starter in three-receiver leagues. He's worth adding for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
