Packers News: Christian Watson's father provides promising update on hamstring issues

The talk of the Green Bay Packers needing a "true WR1" goes out the window when Christian Watson is healthy.

Watson has proven he has game-changing ability. He battled hamstring issues throughout his second season with the Packers, but when available, he reminded everyone of the impact he could make. In a three-game stretch against the Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit Lions, and Kansas City Chiefs, Watson caught 14 passes for 186 yards and four touchdowns.

However, availability is the number one concern. And the Packers are doing everything they can to find a solution.

In January, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the Packers were sending Watson to Badger Athletic Performance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to "better understand" why Watson has dealt with ongoing hamstring issues.

"I have to find out what the root of it is," said Watson.

Watson and the Packers may be beginning to get the answers they were looking for.

Christian Watson's father says there are 'answers coming' about hamstring injuries

Watson's father and former Packers draft pick, Tazim Wajid Wajed, provided some insight on the process. And it was a positive update.

"Just had a 2-hour conversation with him yesterday, and the facts are that there are answers coming in that may very well help bring resolution to this hammy quandary," writes Wajed. "I'm not sharing details, because that's up to him and the Packers to reveal."

He noted that Watson hadn't been affected by similar issues before the past two seasons.

"Simply put, players follow the programs given them by coaches, trainers, and doctors. Up until the last couple of years, it hasn't been an issue," Wajed added.

Along with the ongoing research to find the root cause of Watson's hamstring injuries, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur made a notable change to his staff, hiring Aaron Hill to replace Chris Gizzi as the team's strength and conditioning coach.

It wasn't just Watson dealing with frustrating soft-tissue injuries in 2023. Aaron Jones and Eric Stokes missed several games due to hamstring issues, while others were on the injury report with similar injuries.

Getting Watson fully healthy would help the Packers reach another stratosphere in 2024. Watson impacts the game even when Jordan Love doesn't throw his way. Defenses are forced to respect his speed, allowing Watson to clear space for other receivers underneath.

In the divisional round, the Dallas Cowboys were determined not to let Watson beat them, having caught three touchdowns against Dallas the season prior. Watson often had two or even three defenders following him on deep routes, which presented favorable matchups for the other receivers. Romeo Doubs had a career day, catching six passes for 151 yards and a touchdown.

Hopefully, the Packers can determine why Watson has been at higher risk of suffering hamstring injuries and can put a plan in place to prevent them in 2024. Wajed's update is encouraging.

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