Christian Watson just played in his first game since Week 18 of last season, and he had no intentions of easing back into action. Despite some worries of rough terrain in the lead-up to gametime, the fourth-year receiver was welcomed back to the field with four receptions for 85 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night, a return to form for one of the Green Bay Packers' most explosive playmakers.
Tearing his ACL in the final regular-season game of the 2024 season, Watson's departure hit the team hard, with the season ending just a week later in a wild-card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Over the offseason, however, rumors of Watson's recovery grew.
He returned to practice on October 6, aiming for a swift return following such a serious injury. Before being officially activated on Saturday, Watson had voiced his excitement on his return, and on Sunday, he backed it up.
Christian Watson proved he can take Packers' offense to new heights in dominant return
Watson made his presence felt in his first game back, despite having just one catch in each quarter. His longest reception of the night, a 33-yarder via an off-platform Jordan Love, gave fans a glimpse at the downfield plays that can become more consistent thanks to Watson's return.
With 85 receiving yards, Watson outpaced all of Pittsburgh's pass-catchers (Roman Wilson's 74 yards being the most by a Steeler). In fact, Watson finished with the second-most receiving yards across the board. Only Tucker Kraft had a better performance, with an astounding 143 yards and two touchdowns.
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With Watson in the mix, the Packers' receiving group is growing more difficult for defenses to plan for. Apart from Kraft and Watson, Romeo Doubs, Matthew Golden, and Malik Heath had three receptions each in Sunday's game, while Savion Williams recorded his first touchdown in the green and gold.
The reintroduction of an experienced talent like Watson doesn't just give Jordan Love another target to throw to; it creates new opportunities for all of Green Bay's pass-catchers.
While injuries have certainly hindered his career thus far, Watson's return should fill Packers fans with excitement. Being used to create such big plays in his first game back announces that Watson feels comfortable and that Green Bay's staff doesn't feel the need to play it too conservatively.
The one-year extension that Watson signed earlier this season was meant to provide him with some wiggle room, an opportunity to come in at his own speed following a 10-month recovery. But as Packers fans should know by now, Watson has one speed, and he seems ready to be unleashed on the league.