Update: Christian Watson has returned from the hospital and is back on the Packers' sideline. A huge relief.
Christian Watson suffered a chest injury in the Green Bay Packers' Week 8 game against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football.
Watson landed hard after catching a 53-yard pass in the second quarter. The Packers announced it's a chest injury, and the TV broadcast showed Watson stepping into an ambulance. He is headed to a local hospital for further testing.
The good news is Watson left under his own power. Hopefully, it's just a precaution.
Keep up to date with the latest updates on Watson's status below, and we'll also break down what it means for the Packers.
Latest Christian Watson injury updates after exiting Packers' Week 8 game vs. Panthers
October 29, 9:21 p.m. CT: Christian Watson is back on the sideline
Wow. Not only is Watson back from the hospital, but he's back on the sideline with his uniform on. It appears he is good to go and able to return.
It's a huge relief. Even if he played no more part in this game, it appears he has avoided a serious injury.
October 29, 8:30 p.m. CT: Christian Watson headed to hospital for 'precautionary testing'
The Packers announced that Watson is heading to a local hospital for "precautionary testing." Watson landed hard on the ground and suffered a chest injury, so it's understandable that the medical staff want to play it safe and get him checked out.
While he's listed as "questionable" to return, we can assume Watson won't play a further part in this game.
What Christian Watson's absence means for Packers' offense
The Packers are already without slot receiver Jayden Reed for the remainder of the season. With Watson out, Matthew Golden becomes the clear top target in the passing game. Like Watson, Golden is a dangerous deep threat, and he caught a touchdown from Jordan Love on Green Bay's first drive without Watson.
Tight end Tucker Kraft should also see an increase in targets. He effectively becomes Love's No. 2 option. Savion Williams has played a lot of snaps in the slot in Reed's absence and should continue to get opportunities.
On the outside, preseason standout J. Michael Sturdivant can expect to see a bump in snaps. He can get open deep downfield, too, as he proved against the Chicago Bears in Week 5. The undrafted rookie hauled in a 43-yard catch from Love, although it didn't count due to an offensive pass interference penalty.
Bo Melton is another option, but expect Kraft, Williams, and Sturdivant to get most of the targets behind Golden. Josh Jacobs is also involved in the passing game.
Christian Watson injury history
Year | Injury | Games Missed |
|---|---|---|
2022 | Thigh/Hamstring | 3 |
2022 | Concussion | 0 |
2023 | Thigh/Hamstring | 3 |
2023 | Thigh/Hamstring | 5 |
2024 | Ankle Sprain | 1 |
2024 | Knee Bruise | 1 |
2024 | Torn ACL | 6 |
2025 | Chest/Rib | 0 |
2026 | Chest/Rib | - |
Injury data: Draft Sharks
Watson battled several soft-tissue injuries early in his career, but he's mostly put them behind him after spending time with specialists at UW-Madison in the 2024 offseason. He suffered a torn ACL in Week 18 of the 2024 season, but returned sooner than expected and has played the best football of his career since then.
It's now the second time Watson has exited a game with a chest/rib injury after a big play. He left the Packers' loss to the Denver Broncos last December after a similarly awkward landing. Watson was taken to a local hospital in Denver, but was fortunately OK and didn't miss any games. Hopefully, it's a similar scenario now.
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