According to reports, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson is believed to have torn his ACL and sustained additional damage to his right knee.
This serious injury will effectively end Watson’s 2024 season and could threaten his availability for the start of the 2025 season.
A second-round pick in the 2022 draft, Watson is entering the final year of his rookie contract, making this setback particularly challenging as he faces a critical contract year.
The injury occurred in the second quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears when Watson, running a route, went down without contact. He was quickly carted off the field and transported to the locker room.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur expressed concern about Watson’s condition after the game, though the full extent of the injury was not confirmed until Monday, when the worst-case scenario was revealed.
Watson had been a key contributor for the Packers in 2024, serving as their primary deep threat.
He recorded 29 receptions for 620 yards and two touchdowns, averaging an impressive 21.2 yards per catch – the second-best mark in the NFL.
Additionally, Watson ranked third among all NFL receivers with an average of 11.7 yards per target.
The 23-year-old wideout had already dealt with a previous injury, suffering a bone bruise to his left knee on December 23 against the New Orleans Saints.
He missed one game but returned for the season finale, partly due to receiver Romeo Doubs being sidelined by an illness.
With Watson out for the remainder of the season, the Packers will rely on a new receiving corps for their NFC Wild Card matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Malik Heath, Bo Melton, and Doubs are expected to lead the charge in Watson’s absence as the team looks to continue its playoff push.
Can the Packers make a legitimate Super Bowl run without Watson???
