GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) — Through 11 training camp practices, the wide receiving room has received a boatload of attention. From returners like Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks, to the newcomers like Matthew Golden and Savion Williams, the room has shown its depth. That includes an important member of the wideout group, standing off to the side, rocking a cornrows-style hairdo.
Soon-to-be fourth-year wide receiver Christian Watson tore his ACL in the 2024-25 regular season finale against the Bears in January. Since then, he’s been rehabbing an injury that typically has a recovery time between nine to 12 months.
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“I mean it’s always tough, I obviously want to be out there so (on the sidelines is) not the spot I want to be in,” said Watson. “(But) I’m just embracing where I’m at.”
It’s been just over seven months post-tear, and although Watson has been forced to watch practice without pads on, the place where he’s at is, according to those around him, ahead of schedule.
“I feel 100% running straight,” said the wide receiver. “I feel like I’m 100% doing the cutting stuff too, but obviously I’m not going 100%, so it’s just a natural progression. I’ve felt perfect at everything I’ve been doing so far, so hoping it stays that way and I keep pressing through it.”
Watson credits a lot of his progress to “running his own race” in the recovery process and not trying to compare his journey to anyone else’s. That being said, during the early stages post-surgery, No. 9 did call fellow wide receiver Stefon Diggs about how he approached his ACL tear.
Last year, the now-New England Patriot — and former Houston Texan — went down with a non-contact knee injury in Week 8, which was later diagnosed as the same injury Watson dealt with in Week 18.
This isn’t the first battle Watson has had to face in his NFL career. Ever since he entered the league in 2022, the second-round pick has suffered five injuries that have kept him out for at least one game. This current ACL tear will be number six.
But don’t think the recovery process has taken away the wide receiver’s competitive edge.
“I’ve been saying to everybody who has anything to say about it that I’ll race anybody right now and I’m still taking a (win),” said Watson.
“It’s just life. I know there are way worse situations that I could be dealing with,” Watson added. “I’m just grateful for where I’m at regardless of the situation.”
A showing of mental fortitude that’s defined who the Packers wide receiver is.
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“He actually did most of his rehab in Florida so we got to hang out a little,” said fellow wideout Jayden Reed. “His spirit has been great… he’s been a great teammate and always keeps a smile on his face, and I commend him for that.”
So even if there isn’t a concrete timeline for when Watson might return, he’s still been around the team all throughout the offseason — which he admitted makes it easier to rehab and work to get back on the field each day.
