While injuries to Jordan Love and Romeo Doubs took the headlines, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst quietly provided an optimistic timeline on Christian Watson's return.
Watson tore his ACL in the regular-season finale on January 5, and his father initially predicted a return around Week 12. However, Gutekunst believes it could come much sooner. He noted that Watson will likely begin the season on the PUP list, which will cost him the first four games, but it might not take much longer than that.
"I think more than likely, he'll start the year on the PUP," said Gutekunst. "After that fourth game, I'm sure he's going to be chomping at the bit, and it's going to take a lot of us to hold him back."
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst opens the door for Christian Watson returning ahead of schedule
Gutekunst stopped short of circling any specific dates, but saying they will struggle to hold him back beyond Week 4 suggests it could become a week-to-week situation if all goes to plan. It's worth noting that Green Bay has its bye in Week 5. Could Watson return for the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 12?
The Packers' GM did add some caution, noting that while Watson is "ahead of the curve," it's crucial that they don't "skip any steps" in his recovery to ensure he doesn't suffer any setbacks. Still, Gutekunst's hint at a return after a four-week stint on the PUP list is highly encouraging.
Head coach Matt LaFleur said as early as May that Watson was "ahead of schedule" in his recovery, and nothing at training camp seems to have disproved that.
Reports from practice continue to point out how well Watson is moving.
"Watson just ran full speed, and I mean a full on dash, on the sideline for a good 50 yards. Crazy that just seven months ago he tore his ACL," Cameron Ezeir of WFRV Sports reported from practice on Tuesday.
The Packers won't rush him back. They will smartly protect Watson from himself, and Gutekunst is correct to say that they must navigate through every step of the recovery plan to ensure there are no setbacks or risk of reinjury.
But the outlook is good. Watson looked great in the offseason, and he looks even better now.
Gutekunst didn't name a specific date, but based on his optimistic comments, it sure sounds like Watson is on track to beat those early predictions of a Week 12 return.