GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – The Packers took the field for their first non-walk-through practice of the week.
Wide receiver Christian Watson was there.
Perhaps a bit of a surprise to those on the outside after Watson was sent to the hospital following a chest and shoulder injury in Denver. Before returning with the team on Sunday night.
“Yeah man, dodged a bullet with it. So, I’m definitely in a better spot than I anticipated right away. So, I’m going to battle for this week and see how it goes. I was able to get through a decent amount of stuff today, but honestly I feel like I’m in a really good spot for where I’m at,” said Christian Watson.
Watson was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, and his goal is to be able to play against the Bears just three days later.
“My goal is just to have a couple good days leading up to the game, and hopefully it feels a little bit better each and every day. We’re at the point of the season where you have to fight through some stuff,” said Watson.
Watson has put together a couple of his best games against Chicago as of late. A career-high 150 yards receiving in a win at Soldier Field last season. Then a 89-yard, two-score performance at Lambeau Field just a couple of weeks ago.
“It’s a Packers-Bears game,it’s always going to be a physical, grindy game. That’s exactly what’s going to bring that energy and vibes to the game too,” said Watson.
The fourth-year receiver has emerged as Jordan Love’s top target this year. Especially with the deep ball.Watson hauled in 6 of his 15 targets of 20 yards or more, for 201 yards and 3 scores since returning from a torn ACL.
“We’ve had more explosive plays in the pass game and I think that’s the kind of player Christian is. Plays with some speed match-ups when he gets the ball in his hands, and he’s able to do some cool things,” said quarterback Jordan Love.
“I’m not stating anything that anybody hasn’t seen. He’s a very impactful player in terms of what he does. What he brings from a versatility standpoint. It’s just the whole package. He’s an explosive playmaker that we’ve got to find ways to get him the football,’ said head coach Matt LaFleur.
Watson’s return to the practice field also served as a boost for the Packers’ locker room days after losing star pass rusher Micah Parsons to a torn ACL.
“It’s tough to be able to see guys going down like that. When it happens, you wish that they’ll be fine and it’s nothing serious. To hear about Micah, his season’s over, it’s tough. To hear the news on Christian that it’s not going to be a season-ending injury or anything like that, it definitely gives you a boost,” said Love.
INJURY NOTES
Lukas Van Ness and Dontayvion Wicks also returned to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday. Both were listed as “Did Not Participate” on Tuesday’s walk-through estimated Injury Report.
Running back Josh Jacobs, tackle Zach Tom and safety Evan Williams were among the six players sitting out on Wednesday.
Tom told reporters his knee injury is not as painful as the oblique issue that sidelined him earlier in the season.
Williams said he is dealing with an MCL issue.
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