After undergoing eight hours of testing at the University of Wisconsin's School of Medicine earlier in the offseason, Watson believes he has solved his right hamstring issues that have caused him to miss several games through his first two seasons, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports. "For me, it really was the asymmetry between the legs," Watson explained. "It comes from a lot of things. Obviously, the issues I've had in the past with hamstrings, not fully recovering from those strength-wise. I've been attacking the strength side of it, trying to get that symmetry back and it's been huge for me. I feel really, really good. I gotta continue grinding at it." Watson states he had a 20 percent difference in muscle mass between his right and left legs, but it's now between 8-10 percent. His goal is six percent. Watson was a full participant in OTAs, and getting him through a healthy offseason would be a big first step. He's the most explosive weapon in a deep Green Bay wideout room. Watson has averaged 15 yards per catch over his first two seasons.
Unlock the latest Green Bay Packers news — direct to your inbox.
Status
ACTIVELatest Christian Watson news
Career History
It's the offseason! 😎
Check back next season for fresh
AI-powered projections.
Can't wait for more data?
Join dfsPro Daily for free
AI-powered Fantasy Picks
Year-Round.
After undergoing eight hours of testing at the University of Wisconsin's School of Medicine earlier in the offseason, Watson believes he has solved his right hamstring issues that have caused him to miss several games through his first two seasons, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports. "For me, it really was the asymmetry between the legs," Watson explained. "It comes from a lot of things. Obviously, the issues I've had in the past with hamstrings, not fully recovering from those strength-wise. I've been attacking the strength side of it, trying to get that symmetry back and it's been huge for me. I feel really, really good. I gotta continue grinding at it." Watson states he had a 20 percent difference in muscle mass between his right and left legs, but it's now between 8-10 percent. His goal is six percent. Watson was a full participant in OTAs, and getting him through a healthy offseason would be a big first step. He's the most explosive weapon in a deep Green Bay wideout room. Watson has averaged 15 yards per catch over his first two seasons.
The Packers feel like they have a better understanding of Watson's injury issues after he underwent a body scan at University of Wisconsin-Madison earlier this offseason, Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com reports. Hamstring problems resulted in multi-game absences three times during Watson's first two NFL seasons, and he was removed early from other contests with a concussion (Week 8 of 2022), chest injury (Week 9 of 2022), hip injury (Week 16 of 2022) and back/chest injury (Week 9 of 2023). It's a worrying list of medical problems for someone with only 953 career snaps -- essentially one season's worth -- but Watson has mostly been effective when available, catching 69 of 119 targets for 1,033 yards and 12 touchdowns and taking 11 carries for 91 yards and two additional scores. The 2022 second-round pick is part of one of the deepest group of pass catchers in the league, with Green Bay having six players who recorded over 350 receiving yards last season, all of them rookies or second-year pros. Watson's 4.36 speed is unique among that group, but durability and workload concerns remain a significant part of the fantasy equation even if the Packers are feeling more optimistic about his chances of staying relatively healthy in 2024.
Though Watson avoided a concussion when he recorded his lone reception of the game late in the fourth quarter -- an acrobatic and contested 37-yard catch -- he landed hard on the field and was forced out with a pair of injuries. While LaFleur didn't suggest that the back or chest issue are major concerns for Watson, the second-year receiver's practice activity during the upcoming week could still be affected. Watson previously missed the Packers' first three games of the season due to a hamstring injury.
Watson's lone reception was a huge play late in Sunday's contest, as he came down with a leaping, contested catch for Green Bay's longest gain of the game. After his acrobatic effort, however, Watson was shaken up and subsequently sent to the locker room with what were labeled chest and back injuries. Watson was also set to undergo a concussion evaluation, leaving his status to be monitored in the coming days.
Watson connected with quarterback Jordan Love on a deep ball that the wide receiver had to go up for. At the end of the 37-yard play, Watson landed hard on his upper body and stayed down for a spell before making his way to the sideline. After he went to the locker room, the potential trio of health concerns were revealed.
Even if he's limited, this is a strong sign Watson avoided a major injury when he limped off the field at the end of Sunday's 19-17 loss to Denver. He was hurt on Green Bay's second-to-last offensive snap and thus missed just one play (an interception).