Watson’s season is coming to an end in dramatic fashion after going down in Week 18.
The Green Bay Packers are getting ready for a playoff run that will kick off on the road at Lincoln Financial Field against the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend, but they will be forced to play that game without their dynamic deep threat who can take the top off the field. Wide receiver Christian Watson departed Sunday’s 24-22 loss to the Chicago Bears after suffering a torn ACL, plus further damage to his knee, according to NFL Media. Not only does this end Watson’s season, but it could also impact his availability at the start of the 2025 campaign.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed the unfortunate report that Watson sustained a season-ending injury, telling reporters, “It’s not good,” according to ESPN.
Watson suffered the non-contact injury during the Packers loss to Chicago to close out the regular season. Specifically, he went down at the beginning of the second quarter during a 16-yard completion from Jordan Love to fellow receiver Dontayvion Wicks. Watson was later seen emotional, being carted into the locker room with his head in his hands.
Embed from Getty Images“That’s a tough one,” Love said Sunday. “Obviously, I’m not sure the exact circumstances, but just seeing it on the field, him going down noncontact like that, it’s tough. It’s really tough, especially Christian trying to bounce back from what he’s been dealing with and to be able to go out there and have that happen, it’s tough. I feel for Christian.”
The 25-year-old was selected by the Packers in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of North Dakota State. Over his first three seasons in the league, Watson has flashed significantly as a lethal deep threat and finished up a 2024 campaign where he totaled a career-high 620 yards receiving to go with 29 receptions and two receiving touchdowns. His 21.4 yards per reception was also a career high.
With Watson out if commission for the foreseeable future, Love, who also left the game with a slight elbow injury during Sunday’s loss, is reportedly well enough to play going forward, will now have to look for other pass-catching outlets as they gear up to face the Eagles during Wild Card Weekend. On the roster, Green Bay has Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Wicks atop the receiver depth chart along with Bo Melton. Backup quarterback Malik Willis also sustained a thumb injury in the game.
LaFleur was unsure whether they would be limited participants in practice this week.
“I talked to both of those guys,” LaFleur said. “They seem to be doing all right, but as far as their limits, I think they’re going to be OK, but we’ll find out over the next two days.”
The timing of Watson’s injury not only wiped him out of the tournament, which the Packers begin Sunday at the Eagles, but also means he is likely to miss a large portion of next season, when he will be in the final year of his rookie deal.
