Matt LaFleur said Wednesday that some starters won't play in Week 18 at Minnesota, which could mean Jordan Love (concussion) and Malik Willis (shoulder) are out. Watson could also sit to be ready for the playoffs, but I wouldn't want to start him against the Vikings if Clayton Tune were under center. Minnesota also has allowed just one touchdown to a receiver since Week 9, a span of eight games, and only four receivers have scored double digits in PPR over that span.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Bright spot for Packers
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Watson recorded five receptions on six targets for 113 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 41-24 loss to the Ravens.
Watson has been limited by his own injuries and the absence of Jordan Love (concussion) in recent weeks. However, he was the primary driver of the team's offense through the air in Saturday's loss while surpassing 100 receiving yards for the first time since Week 14 of the 2024 season. Watson logged long receptions of 39, 31 and 23 yards, the longest of which went for a score early in the first quarter. Watson has logged at least 80 receiving yards in three of his last five contests and should be Green Bay's most productive receiver so long as he can remain on the field.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Active in Week 17
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Watson (shoulder/illness) is active for Saturday's game against the Ravens, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.
After kicking off Week 17 prep with back-to-back full listings as he continues to deal with a lingering shoulder injury, Watson didn't practice Thursday due to an illness, leaving him questionable ahead of the weekend. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported Saturday afternoon that Watson was expected to play, which now has been confirmed. Watson will be working within the confines of a Packers offense directed by Malik Willis (right shoulder/illness) instead of Jordan Love (left shoulder/concussion), the latter of whom was ruled out Friday, so coach Matt LaFleur may prioritize the ground game based on Willis' more mobile skill set. When Willis started in Weeks 2 and 3 of the 2024 season in place of Love, Watson hauled in both of his targets for 67 yards.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Expected to play Saturday
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Watson (shoulder/illness) is expected to play Saturday night against the Ravens, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Watson, who was deemed a full practice participant Tuesday and Wednesday, didn't practice Thursday and was listed as questionable ahead of Week 17 action. However, Pelissero indicates that the wideout is ready to go versus Baltimore, with Watson's status, either way, set to be confirmed when inactives are posted ahead of Saturday's 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Comes down with illness, questionable
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Watson (shoulder) didn't practice Thursday due to an illness and is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest versus the Ravens, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.
Watson opened Week 17 prep with back-to-back full listings before Thursday's absence, making him one of five Packers to have logged at least one absence to due illness this week. His status will be confirmed about 90 minutes before Saturday's 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff, but even if he's able to suit up, who will be directing Green Bay's offense is up in the air as both Jordan Love (left shoulder/concussion) and backup Malik Willis (right shoulder/illness) also are listed as questionable.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Two catches in Week 16 loss
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Watson brought in two of six targets for 17 yards in the Packers' 22-16 overtime loss to the Bears on Saturday night.
Watson was contained effectively by an injury-hampered Bears secondary, with the fact Jordan Love exited the game midway through the second quarter due to a concussion likely playing a factor. Watson had his own injury scare in the third quarter per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, but he was able to return to the game before the period was over. The veteran wideout's yardage total was his lowest of the season, and he'll aim to bounce back in a Week 17 home matchup against the Ravens next Saturday night.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Active in Week 16
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Watson (chest/shoulder) is active for Saturday's game at Chicago, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.
Watson seemed destined to miss time after he suffered a chest injury last Sunday against the Broncos that forced a visit to a Denver-area hospital. Having said that, he followed up no activity at Tuesday's walkthrough with back-to-back limited practices, leaving the door open for him to play this weekend. Coach Matt LaFleur told Zach Kruse of USA Today on Thursday that Wednesday's session was "encouraging" for Watson, but that his availability was "going to come down to a medical decision and where he's at Saturday." With his status now confirmed for Week 16, Watson will join Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Dontayvion Wicks (ankle), Bo Melton and Savion Williams as the wide receivers available to QB Jordan Love.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Logs limited practice, hopes to play
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Watson (chest/shoulder) said Wednesday that he's "feeling pretty good" and expects to be "alright for the game" against Chicago on Saturday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
Watson was down on the ground for a while after an awkward fall during Saturday's 34-26 loss to the Broncos. He didn't rejoin the game, and was even sent to the hospital briefly, but he flew home with his teammates Sunday night before managing limited practice participation Wednesday.
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Packers' Christian Watson: In line for limited practice
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Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday that Watson (chest/shoulder) is expected to practice in a limited capacity, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
Watson was not able to participate in Tuesday's walk-through practice after being injured during Sunday's loss to the Broncos, so it's highly encouraging to see him back on the field, even if only as a limited participant. LaFleur said Watson is "fighting to play" Saturday versus the Bears, but at this stage the wideout's availability appears legitimately up in the air. If Watson is able to handle at least limited on-field reps again Thursday, he figures to have a fair chance to gain clearance for Week 16.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Avoids major injury
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The Packers believe Watson (chest/shoulder) did not suffer a major injury during Sunday's 34-26 loss to the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Watson was forced out of Sunday's road loss to Denver and taken to a hospital for evaluation, though he was cleared to join his teammates for the return flight to Green Bay. It's a piece of welcome news for the Packers that Watson seemingly won't endure a long absence, but the explosive wideout now faces a short recovery window leading up to Saturday's key road divisional matchup against the Bears. In the event that Watson isn't able to get healthy in time for Week 16, Matthew Golden, Dontayvion Wicks and Bo Melton could see increased roles alongside Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Ruled out from returning Sunday
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Watson (chest) won't return to Sunday's game in Denver.
Watson remained down for several minutes while attempting to haul in a deep shot from QB Jordan Love early in the fourth quarter that Broncos CB Patrick Surtain ended up corralling for an interception. A chest injury will keep Watson on the sideline for the rest of Week 15, meaning his next chance to suit up is next Saturday at Chicago. In Watson's stead, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Dontayvion Wicks and Bo Melton are the healthy and available wide receivers for the Packers on Sunday.
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Packers' Christian Watson: WRs to Sit
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Watson is more of a bust alert than a must-sit receiver, but I would only start him in three-receiver leagues in Week 15 at Denver. Watson will likely see a lot of Patrick Surtain II in this matchup, and the Broncos have allowed just five touchdowns to receivers all year. Watson has scored five touchdowns in his past four games, and he will likely need a touchdown to save his Fantasy production in this matchup. In seven games since coming back from last year's torn ACL, Watson has been held under 60 receiving yards four times, and he has five games with five targets or less.
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Packers' Christian Watson: WRs to Start
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Watson has 17 targets in his past two games against Minnesota and Detroit, and he took off against the Lions with four catches for 80 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. He's now scored at least 18.3 PPR points in two of his past three games, and he's worth using as a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in the majority of leagues in Week 14 against Chicago. The Bears are No. 9 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and 14 guys have scored at least 12.2 PPR points against Chicago this season, including one in each of the past two games against Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. This game might have extra meaning for Watson since he tore his ACL against the Bears in Week 18 last year, and hopefully, he can have a memorable performance in this matchup.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Posts 51-yard TD among 10 targets
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Watson caught four of 10 targets for 80 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 31-24 win over the Lions. He also rushed once for three yards.
Watson may have gotten away with a pushoff on his 51-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter but the play stood as his third touchdown catch in the past three games and accounted for the majority of his production Thursday. His season debut didn't come until Week 8, but Watson has recorded at least 45 receiving yards in all six of his appearances, establishing himself as the top receiving option in a Green Bay offense that's normally run-heavy, Thursday's four-touchdown performance from Jordan Love notwithstanding. Watson's fantasy stock continues to rise heading into another NFC North matchup in Week 14 against the Bears.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Clear for Week 12
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Watson (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Vikings, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
The Packers eventually listed seven wide receivers on their injury report by week's end, but only Watson, Romeo Doubs (wrist) and Bo Melton (shoulder) avoided designations in advance of Week 12 action. The list of those listed as questionable includes Matthew Golden (shoulder/wrist), Dontayvion Wicks (calf) and Savion Williams (foot), while Jayden Reed (foot/shoulder), who was designated for return from IR and limited at Friday's practice, won't play Sunday. In four appearances since making his season debut with a variety of WR personnel available, Watson has tallied 12 catches (on 17 targets) for 234 yards and two touchdowns.
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Packers' Christian Watson: WRs to Sit
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Watson scored 20.5 PPR points in Week 11 at the Giants thanks to two touchdowns, and I hope he's trending in the right direction to be a difference maker for the Packers and Fantasy managers to close the season. But he only had five targets -- which were a season high -- against the Giants and finished with four catches for 46 yards. He needs more targets to be considered a starter in the majority of leagues, and this is a tough matchup against Minnesota in Week 12. The Vikings are No. 4 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and Watson should only be started in three-receiver leagues in Week 12. Romeo Doubs, who has combined for 10.8 PPR points in his past two games against the Eagles and Giants, is also just a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in most formats in this game.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Remains limited at practice
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Watson (knee) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.
Watson was one of five Packers wide receivers to have a cap on their reps in the team's second Week 12 session, the others being Romeo Doubs (wrist), Matthew Golden (shoulder/wrist), Dontayvion Wicks (calf) and Savion Williams (foot). Additionally, WR turned CB Bo Melton (shoulder) was added to the injury report as limited Thursday. Ultimately, Friday's report will unveil who among Watson and the other five enter the weekend without designations ahead of Sunday's game against the Vikings.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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Watson scored 20.5 PPR points in Week 11 at the Giants thanks to two touchdowns, and I hope he's trending in the right direction to be a difference maker for the Packers and Fantasy managers to close the season. But he only had five targets -- which were a season high -- against the Giants and finished with four catches for 46 yards. He needs more targets to be considered a starter in the majority of leagues, and this is a tough matchup against Minnesota in Week 12. The Vikings are No. 4 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and Watson should only be started in three-receiver leagues in Week 12. Romeo Doubs, who has combined for 10.8 PPR points in his past two games against the Eagles and Giants, is also just a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in most formats in this game.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Limited practice Wednesday
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Watson (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
Watson has been listed with a knee issue in advance of each of his four appearances this season, likely a residual of his recovery from last season's torn ACL. He was joined as a limited participant Wednesday by fellow WRs Romeo Doubs (wrist), Matthew Golden (shoulder/wrist) and Dontayvion Wicks (calf), while Savion Williams (foot) was held out of drills entirely. On the season, Watson has put together a 12-234-2 line on 17 targets.
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Packers' Christian Watson: Week 12 Adds (WR Preview)
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Watson's 20 point outburst in Week 11 could be a sign of things to come. He has now scored 12 or more in two of his four games this season. The only risk is volume. He doesn't yet have a game with more than five targets and the Packers could go run heavy if Minnesota's offense continues to struggle.
