The Green Bay Packers are considering shutting down rookie receiver Christian Watson, who is dealing with another hamstring injury coming out of last week’s loss in London.
“Yeah, I think that’s certainly on the table. We’ll see where he’s at. They are still doing some testing with him,” coach Matt LaFleur said Friday.
Landing on injured reserve – and missing at least four games – could be an option as Watson attempts to put recurring lower-body injuries in the rear-view mirror.
In 2022, Watson has seven catches for 52 yards and three rushes for 19 yards and a touchdown over four games. He’s played 98 snaps – while running routes on 52 plays – so far on offense. The Packers also used him on kickoff returns against the Giants.
This latest injury – suffered while running a route against the Giants – is just the latest in a long line of issues to start his rookie season. Watson needed surgery on his knee to correct a previous injury before training camp, and he later injured his hamstring before Week 4.
The injuries have prevented Watson from giving the Packers all the value of his elite speed, especially as a deep threat. He’s been targeted just twice on passes thrown 20 or more yards, and six of his 11 targets have come behind the line of scrimmage.
Watson, the 34th overall pick, missed practice all three days this week and won’t play against the New York Jets this week. It’s possible he could go on injured reserve as early as Saturday.
