Packers' Christian Watson Shares Promising Instagram Video Amid Injury Recovery
Packers' Christian Watson Shares Promising Instagram Video Amid Injury Recovery originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
If you've caught any interviews with Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, you have probably noticed how openly he talks about Christian Watson and how much the team values him—not just as a player, but as a person too. It does not matter how many targets Watson gets—his willingness to put on a blocking clinic for the run game is just one testament to how unselfish number 9 is and shows his strong character.
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Watson tore his ACL in the 2024 regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears and should miss the start of the 2025 season. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said he is ahead of schedule in his recovery, which is encouraging. While Watson's dad believes he will likely return in the second half of the 2025 season, there could be a chance he will come back sooner than expected.
The possibility of an early return got an extra spark this week when Watson posted another encouraging update in his recovery.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) runs off the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.© Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images
On Friday, he shared an Instagram video of himself sprinting and running routes—his most active showing yet since the injury.
Green Bay has historically taken a conservative approach when easing players back from injury, and that is unlikely to change with Watson. Given the seriousness of his ACL tear and how valuable he is to the offense, there is no chance the Packers will rush him back unless they're 100% confident he can protect himself and play without restriction.
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It would be in Green Bay's best interest to have Watson back at full speed just in time for a potential playoff run. Not only does he bring a unique element of speed to the offense, but he was also their best man-coverage beater last year. He is arguably Green Bay's most dangerous offensive weapon, with the ability to elevate both the passing attack and the run game whenever he's on the field.
On the other hand, Watson and his camp will likely take a cautious and smart approach to his return. He's entering the final year of his rookie contract, and any misstep could impact his health and hurt his chances of securing a long-term extension with the Packers. Still, both sides should work together to find the best possible scenario—one that protects Watson's future while maximizing his value to the team.
Related: Packers Predicted To Keep Seven Wide Receivers On Final 53-Man Roster
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
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