The non-contact harm Christian Watson suffered Sunday has produced a worst-case state of affairs for the Packers. Forward of their playoff outing, the Pack can 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 harm in Week 18, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. Whereas gamers frequently make Week 1 returns after late-season accidents, it is usually not too unusual for reserve/PUP checklist stays to begin. The extra harm the third-year broad receiver sustained could key such a transfer.
This harm got here after Watson was iffy to play in opposition to the Bears with a knee harm. 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 just isn’t believed to have suffered a major hand harm, however one among his high weapons won’t be out there for the Packers in these playoffs. And it is going to be value 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 choose 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 12 months 3. Whereas he averaged 21.4 yards per reception, the North Dakota State alum solely caught 29 passes. The 620 receiving yards have been nonetheless a career-high whole, because the Packers have frequently used a bevy of rookie-contract wideouts over the previous two seasons. Watson nonetheless operated as Inexperienced Bay’s high deep risk, which is able to make an upset in Philadelphia harder.
The Packers nonetheless have a number of choices out there heading into that recreation, because the group has continued to make use of the draft — after the primary spherical, after all — 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, nevertheless, 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 harm but. However his long-term future is abruptly a lot cloudier.
