Packers Get Update on Injured WR Christian Watson

Christian Watson #9 for the Green Bay Packers is pushed out of bounds by Alontae Taylor #1 and Kool-Aid McKinstry #14 of the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Dec. 23, 2024. Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

While the Green Bay Packers steamrolled the New Orleans Saints 34–0, a loss of a different kind threatened to mar Monday night’s victory.

Packers wide receiver Christian Watson suffered a knee injury in the first half and didn’t finish the game. Fortunately for the Packers, it’s not as serious as initially feared.

“We got good news on him,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters on Tuesday. “It’s more [like] just a bruise. It’s when the guy fell on him on the sideline. Still got to be able to function. We'll see how he practices this week and see where we’re at.”

The Packers (11–4) have a big NFC North showdown with rival Minnesota (13–2) on Sunday for Week 17—a game that the NFL recently flexed to 3:25 p.m. Green Bay has a playoff spot locked up after its win over the Saints (5–10), but the Packers could play spoiler on the Vikings’ division title and No. 1 seed hopes.

“It’s going to be a great challenge for us and one that, quite frankly, I think we need because we’re going to be going on the road in the playoffs,” LaFleur said. “This is going to be a playoff atmosphere and a playoff game.”

Having Watson would help. He’s a big-play threat amid 29 catches for 620 yards, 21.4 per reception, and two touchdowns this season.

If Watson can’t go on Sunday, quarterback Jordan Love has plenty of other skill players to rely on. Wide receiver Jayden Reed leads the team in receiving overall with 52 catches for 803 yards and six touchdowns. Tight end Tucker Kraft has been a stray threat amid 44 receptions for 618 yards and seven touchdowns, and wideout Romeo Doubs has 39 catches for 543 yards and four touchdowns.

In addition, running back Josh Jacobs continues to shine amid 1,216 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns plus 35 catches for 340 yards and a score. Jacobs had 107 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in his last outing against the Saints.

Love has been dangerous all season, regardless of who he is distributing the ball to. He has completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 3,135 yards and 24 touchdowns versus 11 interceptions, and Love has 77 yards rushing and a touchdown.

“I love the energy and vibe of our team right now, but ultimately, this is just one step in the journey, and we’ve got to continue to build upon it,” LaFleur said about the latest win. “What a great opportunity to go into one of the toughest environments against one of the toughest teams, knowing that’s got to be our road to get to where we ultimately would like to go.”