The Green Bay Packers are 3-1-1 and in first place in the NFC North. The Packers are coming off a 27-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Green Bay, and they now travel west to face the Arizona Cardinals in the first of a two-game road trip.
Ahead of Week 7, the status of wide receiver Christian Watson has been a talking point. The Packers’ WR1 suffered a torn ACL in last year’s regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears and has yet to play since the injury.
Watson returned to practice following the team’s bye week, and there was hope he would play in Week 7 against the Cardinals.
On Thursday, head coach Matt LaFleur offered a brief answer when asked if they would bring Watson back this week.
“We’ll see,” LaFleur said, via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
Christian Watson’s Practice Return is Encouraging
While Watson’s status remains up in the air, LaFleur did add that Watson has “looked great” in his return to practice.
“He looks great, it’s just trying to build up where we feel comfortable for him to perform….and also where he feels he has enough practice in as well,” LaFleur said on Thursday.
A video surfaced on Wednesday of Watson running routes at practice, and the Packers WR looks like he could be ready to take the field sooner rather than later.
Watson, who was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of North Dakota State, caught 41 passes for 611 yards with seven scores in 14 games during his rookie season.
He played just nine games in 2023 due to injuries, catching 28 passes for 422 yards and five scores.
In 2024, he played in 15 games, but managed just 29 catches for 620 yards and two touchdowns, so there is still room for improvement for the young WR.
Currently, tight end Tucker Kraft leads the team in receiving yards with 268 and is tied with Romeo Doubs for catches with 18, so there is a big need for Watson to provide a spark to the offense.
Could Watson’s Return Signal a WR Trade?
With Watson returning at some point, whether it is this week or next, and the NFL Trade Deadline approaching, it could make sense for Green Bay to trade a wide receiver.
While Doubs’ name has surfaced again in rumors, the New York Giants reportedly have inquired about a WR trade with the Packers.
The report mentions Watson, Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, so Watson’s coming back to the team could spell the end of the road for Wicks in Green Bay.
Whether or not the Packers make a trade remains to be seen, but the WR room will be even more crowded once Watson returns.
While the hope is that Watson can return and make his 2025 season debut against the Cardinals, if it doesn’t happen this week, the next game takes place on Sunday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road in the Aaron Rodgers revenge game.
All in all, Watson’s return is imminent, and clarity should be provided in the coming days.
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