It ended with a sound no athlete wants to hear: a sharp, sickening pop in Chicago that silenced Christian Watson’s season on the spot. The ACL tear in Green Bay’s finale could have buried the receiver in doubt and what-ifs. Instead, Watson didn’t bow down. While others might have spent the offseason wondering if they’d ever get back, he attacked rehab with tunnel vision. Now, after months of sweat, pain, and progress, the Packers finally have a clear picture of when their deep threat might return.
Tuesday brought mixed news for Chr͏istian W͏ats͏on’s comeback story. Weston Hodkiewicz dr͏oppe͏d an up͏date on ͏X͏, sharing G͏M B͏rian Gutekunst’s assessment: “More than lik͏ely, he’ll͏ start on PUP, but after those f͏our games, I’m sure he’ll be ͏champing͏ at th͏e bi͏t.“͏
Gutekunst on Christian Watson: “More than likely, he’ll start on PUP, but after those four games, I’m sure he’ll be champing at the bit.”
— Weston Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) August 12, 2025
When Christian Watson’s ACL gave way in the Packers’ regular-season finale against Chicago, he didn’t waste time dwelling on the setback. Instead, the fourth-year wideout threw himself headfirst into the long road back. Any window for self-pity quickly closed, replaced by a relentless focus on returning to action as fast as possible.
“It’s definitely tough,” Watson admitted. “An injury like this takes a toll on you, no question about it.”
The timing couldn’t have been worse. In a contract year and fresh off a season where he reemerged as one of the NFL’s most dangerous deep threats, the fourth-year wideout saw his momentum halted in an instant. After shaking off the hamstring troubles that dogged him in 2023, he’d put together 29 receptions for 620 yards, an electric 20.9 yards per catch, across his first 15 games.
Two weeks after Green Bay’s wild-card loss in Philadelphia, Watson underwent ACL reconstruction. He then headed to Florida, determined to attack his rehab head-on. And while training in Davie, he crossed paths with Stefon Diggs, the four-time Pro Bowler who suffered the same injury last October. That helped Watson tune out comparisons and focus on his own comeback journey.
Florida also brought a reunion with Packers teammate Jayden Reed, who’s been struck by Watson’s resilience. “His spirit’s been great,” Reed said. “He’s always smiling, always finding ways to lead—even when he can’t be on the field. That’s not easy. I’m excited to see him back.”
Watson stayed connected to the team throughout the offseason program, offering guidance and leadership to a young receiving corps eager to follow his example.
Stay tuned, this is a developing story!
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