Christian Watson Expected To Be Back Around Midseason In 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) had his ACL surgery and is expected to be back around the midway point of the 2025 season, according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman. "Doing well. He's got a lot in front of him, but I expect him to attack it like he does everything else everything so far's been really good. He's been through this before, so he knows what to expect. It's a big injury. It may take some time, but he's got the right mindset, positive attitude toward it," general manager Brian Gutekunst said. The 25-year-old wideout tore his ACL in Week 18 against the Bears and finished his third year in the NFL with 29 catches (53 targets) for a career-high 620 receiving yards and a career-low two touchdowns in 15 starts. Known as a slow healer, it wouldn't be a surprise if Watson's recovery lingers into the second half. In standard 12-team leagues this fall, Watson will most likely go undrafted.
Christian Watson Unlikely To Be Ready For Start Of 2025 Campaign
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2025 season after suffering a torn ACL in the Week 18 loss to the Chicago Bears. The 25-year-old has been plagued by the injury bug through the first three seasons of his NFL career, missing 13 regular-season games since being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. His potential delayed start to next season comes as no surprise given the timing of the major injury, and the Packers could look to bring in more wide receiver options via free agency or the 2025 NFL Draft. It won't be a surprise if Watson starts next season on the PUP list, meaning he'd be forced to sit out at least the first four games.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed on Monday that wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) suffered a torn right ACL in the loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale and will miss the rest of the season. "It's not good," LaFleur said. Watson suffered a bruise in his knee in Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints and was held out of the Week 17 loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings before returning on Sunday, only to suffer a season-ending injury. It's a big blow to the Packers heading into the postseason, as Watson is one of the team's best deep-threat wideouts. The 25-year-old former second-rounder finishes his third NFL season with only 29 receptions and two touchdowns but with a career-high 620 receiving yards in 15 games. Given the timing of his injury and his reputation as a slow healer, there's a good chance Watson won't be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign.
Christian Watson Believed To Have Suffered A Torn ACL
Green Bay Packers standout wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) is believed to have suffered a torn right ACL and additional damage to his knee in the loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale. It will put an end to Watson's season for the playoffs and also put him in jeopardy for the start of the 2025 regular season this fall. The 25-year-old former second-rounder in 2022 out of North Dakota State was held out of the Week 17 loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings due to a bruised knee he suffered the week prior, but he returned on Sunday and suffered a non-contact injury in the second quarter before being carted off. The oft-injured pass-catcher has lots of big-play ability but has struggled to stay on the field in his three seasons. Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks and tight end Tucker Kraft should all benefit in the playoffs with Watson sidelined.
Christian Watson May Not Be Healthy To Start The Postseason
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) exited Sunday's game against the Bears. There is hope he'll be ready for the postseason. However, head coach Matt LaFleur was "unsure" about his status moving ahead. Things don't look good at the moment regarding Watson's availability to begin the playoffs. Of course, there will be updates on his condition moving ahead. But if Watson doesn't suit up, it will likely mean more targets for Dontayvion Wicks and Jayden Reed, with Josh Jacobs getting more work out of the backfield.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) has officially been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears. He suffered a knee injury in the second quarter and the team will play it on the cautious side. Watson finishes the game with one target and no catches. Dontayvion Wicks, Jayden Reed, and Tucker Kraft have been the leading pass-catchers for the Packers in this game so far. Watson's status is worth monitoring heading into wildcard weekend for any DFS managers.
Christian Watson Suffers Knee Injury, Questionable To Return
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) left Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears with an apparent knee injury and the team has ruled him questionable to return. The third-year receiver has appeared on the injury report a handful of times this season, so they may take the cautious route with the playoffs right around the corner. He saw one target but didn't register any stats before leaving. Dontayvion Wicks and Tucker Kraft have seen the bulk of the targets so far in this game.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Chicago Bears. He had been listed as questionable. The 25-year-old returns from a one-game absence to play in the Packers' regular-season finale. Watson's highest yardage total of the season came against the Bears back in Week 11 when he caught all four of his passes for a whopping 150 yards through the air. While he'll hope to replicate that performance this Sunday, that's far from guaranteed. He's averaging just 1.8 catches, 27.4 yards, and zero touchdowns over his last five contests, and he's not a dependable option for fantasy lineups in leagues with 12 or fewer teams.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) returned to a limited practice on Friday and is listed as questionable to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday at Lambeau Field against the division-rival Chicago Bears. Friday's practice session was the first Watson was able to attend since suffering a bruised left knee in the 34-0 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 16. "It was good, it really was," said head coach Matt LaFleur of Watson's return. "It was good to get him back out there, kind of get him back in the flow of things. So that was, that was encouraging." The 25-year-old's return to practice on Friday means he's making progress, but we still expect the Packers to play it safe and hold the oft-injured receiver out in the regular-season finale so that he'll be ready to go for the playoffs next week. It's unclear how long Green Bay might play their starters on Sunday, giving them all considerably more risk in fantasy lineups.
Christian Watson Still Not Practicing With The Team
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) warmed up inside with the team for the first time on Thursday since injuring his knee in the Week 16 win over the New Orleans Saints, but he didn't come outside with the rest of the team to practice. It appears that Watson is making some progress with his bruised left knee, but it may not be enough for the Packers to feel comfortable throwing him out there in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Chicago Bears. The 25-year-old does have one more day of practice on Friday, though. Given Watson's lengthy injury history, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Green Bay rest him for a second straight game so that he can be closer to full strength for the start of the playoffs next week. If Watson is ruled out on Friday, it will mean more targets for receivers Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and tight end Tucker Kraft. UPDATE: Head coach Matt LaFleur said Watson probably "would have to get some work in tomorrow (Friday)" if he's going to play on Sunday.
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