Christian Watson returns from broken rib vs. Panthers

Watson went to the hospital to have his chest injury examined, but obviously checked out well if the Packers were willing to reinsert him into a game where they were leading by two scores. It’s a sigh of relief for fantasy managers, as Watson has been sensational Thursday night with six catches for 100 yards in just one half thus far.

Watson was hurt on a deep pass in the middle of the second quarter, and went to the locker room to be evaluated and will head to the hospital to be further examined. The 27-year-old was playing well prior to the injury with six catches for 100 yards on his seven targets. Matthew Golden will be the primary wideout target for Jordan Love if Watson can’t return.

Watson remained limited through the first two practices this week. We do not yet know his Friday participation level, but he seems to be ready for action. Watson belongs in the WR1 tier against a Lions’ pass defense that has freely surrendered big plays this season.

Watson appears to just be being managed at this point as Matt LaFleur said there are no concerns on him playing in Week 7. Two limited sessions are often a starting point for a questionable listing, but we’d be surprised if it got that far with Watson.

The same is true of Matthew Golden, who is dealing with a shoulder issue. Both players were estimated as limited participants for Wednesday’s walkthrough. It doesn’t look like either wideout is at risk of missing the Packers’ upcoming shootout with Detroit. Watson is currently fifth in the league in receiving yards at 538. Golden is sixth at 501. Both players hold a spot in the WR1 ranks heading into Week 7.

The Packers held a walkthrough today, so Watson’s status is only an estimate from the team. Given his lengthy injury history, fantasy managers should keep an eye on Green Bay’s injury report tomorrow, though we suspect this isn’t a major issue for Watson. Assuming he gets up to a full practice at some point this week, Watson will be a borderline WR1 for Week 7 versus Detroit.

Watson drew lockdown corner Joey Porter Jr. for much of the game, something that aided teammate Matthew Golden in leading the team in both targets and receiving in the win. The talented fifth-year receiver is already within 74 yards of setting a new career high in receiving while also being just one touchdown shy of a new high water mark, two achievements he will look to unlock when the Packers face off against the Lions in a potential shootout in Week 7. Watson remains a back-end WR1 for that matchup.

Watson’s 143-yard outburst was the third highest receiving total of his career, joining a Week 11 2024 effort and his 6/147/2 broadside against the Vikings this Week 1. Rather amazingly, the two-score effort was his seventh. This one came in true Watson fashion, as he found the end zone from 42 and 53 yards out. For the 42-yarder he ran right by the defense. For the 53-yarder, he high-pointed the ball off the defender’s helmet in the end zone. It was just that kind of day for the Packers, and it’s been just that kind of season for a wideout in Watson who continues to break out. Now firmly in the weekly WR1 mix, Watson has a potential Week 6 smash spot in the sorry Cowboys.

After scoring four touchdowns over the first three weeks, Watson finally cooled off with his first quiet game of the year. Jordan Love couldn’t get the deep ball going in this game and funneled the short targets to Tucker Kraft and Matthew Golden, leaving Watson without much to do. For a player known for having a low floor, 47 yards is a stunningly reasonable floor game. Watson is simply too good at picking up chunk gains to have the bottom truly fall out. He remains a boom/bust WR2 for his Week 5 date with the Bears.

Watson now has four touchdowns through three games while ranking one target behind Matthew Golden for the team lead at 29. Even better news for fantasy managers is the fact that we’re likely to see this sudden spike in pass volume continue forward given the current state of the Green Bay backfield and offensive line, meaning fantasy managers can continue to start Watson as a legitimate WR1 ahead of a road meeting with the pass-funnel Buccaneers in Week 4.