Green Bay Packers: Christian Watson is expected to miss another game

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson sat out Thursday’s practice due to a hamstring injury, putting him on track to miss his second consecutive game on Sunday. Unfortunately, this setback marks the fifth time this season that Watson has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury, making it a challenging second season for him in terms of staying on the field.

Throughout the current season, Watson has recorded 28 receptions for 422 yards and five touchdowns, boasting an average of 15.1 yards per reception. Quarterback Jordan Love has targeted him 53 times. Despite the setbacks, Love expressed confidence in the team’s depth, stating that while it’s tough not having key players on the field, the “next man up” mentality prevails. Love emphasized the need to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, acknowledging the inevitability of injuries in football and the importance of preparing for optimal performance despite such challenges

Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Christian Watson may not be the No. 1 wide receiver next season if he continues to miss time.

At the start of this season, Watson held the top spot on the Packers‘ depth chart as the primary wide receiver. However, his fortunes have taken a turn since the preseason. While he possesses the skills to be Green Bay’s leading wideout, the crucial factor has been his availability, and unfortunately, durability has been a challenge.

Contrastingly, Jayden Reed, initially listed as the third wide receiver on the Packers’ depth chart, is emerging as the top choice for quarterback Jordan Love, with Romeo Doubs occupying the second spot. Some even argue that rookie Dontayvion Wicks has outperformed Christian Watson this season for the Packers. If Watson remains sidelined after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, the Green Bay team faces a significant decision in the offseason.

Given their abundance of young receiver talent, the team must weigh the option of potentially trading Watson for additional support due to their depth at the position. Alternatively, they must decide whether to take the risk of retaining him on the roster as a player prone to injuries for the third consecutive season. This decision will likely be a topic of discussion between general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur in the upcoming offseason.

Watson had initially been projected to have a season close to 1,000 yards, 10 touchdowns, and over 80 receptions. Regrettably, this hasn’t unfolded as anticipated, leaving the Green Bay Packers with unmet expectations for his performance.