Packers WR Christian Watson Has Torn ACL, Could Miss 2025 Season

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson is believed to not only have torn his ACL but also sustained additional damage, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

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Watson didn't have to play on Sunday against the Chicago Bears but chose to be out there for his team. Now, the reality is Watson faces a long road to recovery and could miss the start of the 2025 season.

Watson sustained a non-contact injury that was so devastating multiple Bears defenders checked on him and signaled for the trainer. He was then carted off to the locker room. After the game, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur gave a discouraging update on Watson's status for the playoffs.

"I'm not super confident about that right now," LaFleur said.

Watson's season-ending injury is Green Bay's worst nightmare as the team will be without their premier deep threat for the playoffs and likely a portion of next season.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who also sustained an injury in Sunday's game, spoke about Watson's injury.

"That's a tough one," Love said postgame. "Obviously I'm not sure the exact circumstances, but just seeing it on the field, him going down non-contact like that, it's tough. It's really tough, especially Christian trying to bounce back from what he's been dealing with and to be able to go out there and have that happen, it's tough. I feel for Christian."

Watson had missed Week 17 with a left knee injury but sustained the season-ending injury to his right knee. LaFleur made the decision to not rest his starters in Week 18, but Watson likely wouldn't have played had receiver Romeo Doubs not been ill.

Green Bay will be the No. 7 seed in the NFC and is entering the playoffs on a two-game losing streak. Although the Packers won 11 games this season, the team is just 1-5 in NFC North matchups.

With that being said, anything can happen in the playoffs. There's an argument to be made that Green Bay hasn't improved much between Week 1 and Week 17. While the team runs the ball and stops the run better, not much else has been refined.

While the Packers are experiencing somewhat of an offense lull, it is concerning as the team enters the playoffs. The Green Bay offense will have to command the entire game, which is now even more challenging without Watson.

Nevertheless, the Packers will have to look sharp against the Philadelphia Eagles next week.

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