GREEN BAY (WLUK) — Christian Watson is back in Green Bay recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the 2024 regular season finale against the Bears.
It’s an injury that’s etched in the minds of Packers fans.
While running a pattern, Watson went down with a non-contact injury and grabbed his right knee. The receiver was helped to the sideline before eventually being carted back to the locker room.
The next day, it was revealed Watson had torn his ACL.
“I hurt for him,” Packers head coaach Matt LaFleur said on January 6th. “Obviously I hurt for our team, but just more for him just because I know how much he’s put into this thing, just like all our guys. You never want to see that.”
Fast forward nearly fourth months to the date of Watson’s injury. The receiver is at De Pere High School smiling and taking pictures with fans.
Watson is attending the annual Redbird Ribbon Walk, an event he heard about from a De Pere student that encouraged him to attend.
The annual event raises money for De Pere High School’s “Sting Cancer” club, which uses those funds to support those in the community affected by cancer.
Watson’s mother battled thyroid cancer while his mother-in-law went through breast cancer.
“Between my mom, mother-in-law, and other families, it could have easily gone a different way for them,” Watson said. “Thankfully, they survived and they’re still kicking…it just means a lot to me to be able to come out here and hear other people’s stories, see how much hope they still have and how happy they are to still be able to do stuff like this, even when it hits home for them.”
Watson is dealing with his own battle of coming back from an ACL injury. He hopes to return sometime during the 2025 season, saying he has a “couple months remaning” in his recovery timeline.
The wideout has continued rehabbing at the Packers’ facility, saying it helps being in Green Bay.
“Being around the guys, it’s always a little different when you’re around the team,” Watson said. “A little bit more life to the party. Recovery’s going really well, I’m in a really good spot here, keeping the mentality there…I’ve got a couple more months ahead of me, attacking it every day. I’m in a really good spot.”
Watson has fought through injuries his entire NFL career. While he could easily throw in the towel, the receiver doesn’t see that as an option.
“I was raised to be a fighter and to chase after the things that I want,” Watson said. “I’ve gotten a lot in my life so far but there’s still a lot of things that I want, so I’m gonna keep on fighting for it.”