The Green Bay Packers are preparing to take on the Cincinnati Bengals in their Week Six matchup of the 2025 NFL season. At 2-1-1, Green Bay has not won since Week Two, dropped a frustrating game to the Cleveland Browns, and tied with the Dallas Cowboys in Week Four.
Much of the frustration from their last two games have come from the fact that the Packers have had to push forward without several of their key players, especially on offense. Starting right tackle Zach Tom and starting left guard Aaron Banks have each been dealing with injuries and have missed most of the season thus far.
Additionally, Green Bay lost wide receiver Jayden Reed in Week Two to a broken collar bone. This, along with a Jones fracture, will keep him out until November. Fortunately, the Packers are close to getting a different wide receiver back from injury: Christian Watson.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has high praise for Christian Watson as he nears return
Dec 23, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) rushes with the football during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Watson, of course, has yet to play this season after starting the year on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. The fourth-year wide receiver tore his ACL in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season, but was able to return to practice this week, the earliest possible time allowed by the league for a player on the PUP list to start the year.
The Packers certainly believe in Watson and love what he brings to the table on offense, as evidenced by their signing him to a one-year $13 million contract extension earlier this year.
Watson may be back practicing, but it is not yet known whether or not he will be able to play on Sunday against the Bengals. He still needs to knock some rust off and get into football shape and, after all, the Packers have 21 days from the moment the opened his practice window to add him to the roster.
In the meantime, though, head coach Matt LaFleur has been impressed with what Watson is doing and what he brings to the team.
“Here’s a guy that’s so impactful. There’s very few that are as big and strong and fast as Christian Watson, and then you combine the fact he’s got a brilliant mind,” LaFleur said. “The things he can do in game, I don’t think anyone can truly appreciate.”
Watson had 29 receptions for 620 yards and two touchdowns last season. Notably, on a team that was plagued by dropped passes, he only had two, making him the most sure-handed pass catcher on the team in 2024.
His speed, combined with that of rookie Matthew Golden, will open up a lot of potential big plays for the Packers offense, something that they desperately need.
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