The Green Bay Packers are preparing to be without wide receiver Christian Watson for the next few weeks. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Watson sustained a high-ankle sprain in Week 4’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, which could keep him sidelined for multiple weeks. There is also a possibility that Watson may be placed on injured reserve.
Watson suffered the injury while attempting to make a catch late in the first quarter. Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw a pass to him on a third-and-7 play, but Watson’s foot got pinned and his leg twisted under Vikings linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill, who intercepted the pass.
After a brief evaluation on the sidelines, Watson was carted off the field and did not return to the game. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said there are no concrete updates on Watson’s status, but he is likely to miss at least Week 5.
This injury is the latest in a series of setbacks for Watson, who has struggled with injuries since his rookie season in 2022. He has previously dealt with knee surgery, hamstring issues, and a concussion, which have caused him to miss significant time in his first two NFL seasons.
While Watson had hoped to put his hamstring problems behind him this offseason, this new ankle injury could impact his long-term future with the Packers. Despite being under contract until 2025, Watson has yet to provide the return on investment the team hoped for when they traded up to draft him in 2022.
However, the Packers remain confident in their receiving corps if Watson misses time. Head coach LaFleur praised the efforts of Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Romeo Doubs, who stepped up after Watson’s exit in Week 4. Wicks, in particular, is expected to see increased playing time after catching five passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns in the game against the Vikings.
