The Packers suffered a major blow on offense before the playoffs as the star wide receiver is dealing with a knee injury
The Green Bay Packers and running back Jordan Love lost a big weapon during the team’s 24-22 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Star catcher Christian Watson tore his ACL and suffered additional damage to his knee, ending his season and putting him in question for the start of next season, according to NFL Network.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed the news on Monday, saying Watson will be out for the rest of the year.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson, #9, leaves the field on a wheelchair after being injured in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears during their football game Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (IMAGIN)
Watson, 25, ran in the second quarter and then crumpled to the ground clutching his knee, suffering the injury on a non-contact play.
LaFleur talked about what losing Watson means to the offense.
“Yeah, it’s a big loss, just his presence on the field. He’s so versatile in his ability to play in multiple positions. You can put him at X, F, Z, you can move him all over the field. Obviously, he has an element in terms of his size and speed that’s hard to replicate in the league, and it just hurts,” LaFleur said at his Monday press conference.
“Obviously, hurt for our team, but even more so for him, just because I know how much he’s put into this thing, and just like all of our guys, you never want to see that, and it’s an unfortunate part of our game.”
Watson was questionable with a knee injury entering Week 18, but LaFleur said the knee he injured in the game was actually a different knee that wasn’t bothering him.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson, #9, is receiving treatment after being injured during the first quarter of their game Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 24-22. (IMAGIN)
LaFleur said he is confident Watson will attack his rehabilitation.
“But like I told him, I know he’s going to attack the right way, he’s going to deal with adversity, it’s just going to be an obstacle in his way and I think he’s going to come back better. That’s just the way he’s built, the way he’s wired, and so I think it’s going to be good, it’s just later,” LaFleur said.
Watson is in his third season after being drafted in the second round 2022 NFL Draft outside the state of North Dakota.
This season, Watson had 29 catches for 620 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games. The deep threat is second NFL yards per reception average, 21.4 yards per catch average.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson, #9, rushes the football during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field. (Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images)
The Packers finished the season 11-6 and are the 7th seed in the NFC. They will face the 2nd seed Philadelphia Eagles on the road in the Wild Card round.
Without Watson, the Packers will rely on wide receivers Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and Malik Heath as replacements.
The Packers and Eagles will play Sunday at 4:30 PM ET on FOX.
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