Packers Hopeful Hamstring Issues Are Behind WR Chrisitan Watson

The Green Bay Packers are hoping that wide receiver Christian Watson can put his hamstring issues behind him. The 2022 second round pick out of North Dakota State struggled last season with hamstring problems and only played in nine games. In some of the games he did play, he was on a play count and wasn’t able to play a full game.

Watson has proven to be a difference maker when he’s on the field. His speed and ability to stretch the field not only allows him to make big plays. He also creates space for teammates when defenses have to respect his speed.

Watson appeared in 14 games as a rookie in 2022 and caught 41 passes for 611 yards and seven touchdowns. He had a slow start after dropping what appeared to be sure touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had difficulty trusting Watson who needed to improve his route running and the consistency of his hands.

In Week 10 against the Cowboys, Watson enjoyed a breakout game. He caught four passes for 107 yards and three touchdowns. He finished the season strong, going over 100 yards receiving a total of three times and scoring nine total touchdowns.

The hamstring injuries really slowed him down last season. He missed the first three games of the season and missed eight games altogether. Watson’s overall numbers declined to 28 catches for 422 yards and five touchdowns. When he was on the field and healthy, he was just as dangerous as ever, but keeping him healthy and on the field became a challenge.  

On Thanksgiving Day against the Lions, Watson was finally healthy and caught five passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. The following week against the eventual Super Bowl champion Chiefs, Watson caught seven balls for 71 yards and two scores. However, late in the game, he reinjured his hamstring when he stopped short to stay in bounds as the Packers were trying to run out the clock.

Watson was able to return for the two postseason games in January, but he was again limited. He caught two passes total in the two games for a total of 20 yards.

When the season ended, the Packers announced they were sending Watson and cornerback Eric Stokes to see a hamstring specialist in Madison. The hope was this would reduce the chances of another hamstring injury occurring in the future.

Passing game coordinator Jason Vrable addressed the media on Friday and gave an update on Watson.

“He went down and saw all the specialists and did everything the training staff has done, and they’ve done a tremendous job,” Vrable told reporters. “He’s in a great place right now.”

The plan going forward includes increased communication designed to prevent further injuries.

“I just say, ‘Hey, if there’s ever a day you maybe feel fatigued or run down from multiple days in a row, just give me a heads up and let me know so we’re more on the same page.’ Everybody thinks a young player should just be able to run for days. The difference in him is that when he’s running, he’s hitting 21 miles per hour multiple days in a row. For whatever reason, we just had some unfortunate circumstances where he’s had the injuries.”

The Packers know if they can keep Watson on the field, they may have the number one receiver they’ve been lacking since they traded Davante Adams to the Raiders after the 2021 season.  

“I said it last year: we’re a better team when he’s out on the field and I think everybody knows that around this building. He’s had a great offseason. He’s in great spirits,” Vrable added.

If Watson is fully healthy in 2024, the Packers deep receiving corps can take another big step forward.

While there’s still a long way to go before Week 1 in Brazil, head coach Matt LaFleur was also optimistic about Watson at this point in the offseason.

“He looks great,” LaFleur said after the draft. “He’s had a really good start to the offseason. We’ve just got to keep it going that way.”

That will be the key to keeping Watson healthy and productive in 2024 and to unleashing his formidable talent.