Heading into the 2024 NFL season, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson had many goals, most of which mirrored the team’s goals. Win games, get to NFL Playoffs, and compete for a Super Bowl. But one goal that he had that was to stay healthy all season long.
As fans will recall, Watson battled hamstring injuries during his first two seasons with the Packers. A visit to the University of Wisconsin in Madison during the offseason showed that one of his legs was significantly stronger than the other, causing overcompensation and, therefore, strains.
He worked hard to get his strength balanced and was able to stay healthy for most of the season. A defender falling on his knee late in the season caused him to miss a couple of games, but he did not suffer any soft tissue injuries.
It seemed that Watson had accomplished his goal. And in a sense he did. But then disaster struck.
Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Christian Watson Tore His ACL in Week 18
Green Bay Packers, Christian Watson
Dec 23, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) leaves the field in the fourth quarter after getting injured against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY NETWORK/Imagn Images
After missing two games with a bruised knee, Watson decided he wanted to give it a go and play in the Packers’ Week 18 game against the Chicago Bears. Unfortunately, no one could have predicted what happened next.
Running a route in the first half, Watson went down clutching his knee. Almost immediately, everyone knew what had happened, and tests later confirmed the worst: he had torn his ACL.
Watson finished the year with 29 receptions, a career-high 620 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns. Despite the label put on him by many fans, he was Green Bay’s most surehanded wide receiver, dropping just two passes all year and having a drop percentage of just 3.8%.
Romeo Doubs (9.7%), Dontayvion Wicks (11.8%), and Jayden Reed (12.0%) were all among the league leaders in drop percentage.
The loss of Watson and the rest of their wide receivers’ drop issues prompted the Packers to draft Matthew Golden and Savion Williams in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Christian Watson Made a Cryptic Social Media Post
Green Bay Packers, Christian Watson
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
Obviously, many expect Watson to miss the beginning of the 2025 NFL season due to the long recovery time for torn ACL’s. However, the Packers recently stated that the former second round pick, who is entering a contract year, is ahead of schedule in his recovery.
This led many to believe that Watson could be ready earlier than midseason, but his recent social media post has some thinking he could be back even before that:
Christian Watson posted this on his Instagram story, Packers fans we might be getting an early comeback 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/7sKxvs4dlF
— Good Fella Pack🧀 (@LockEmUpHerb) June 1, 2025
Christian Watson comeback loading ⏳️ https://t.co/La7xFwWMUA
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) June 1, 2025
So Christian Watson hit up Aaron Rodgers for quick heal method?
— k⃠ᜣo͟n͟ ī̶̧͙͖̲̘y̶̡͕̮͇͖͕̮̳̲̓ ™️🗣️ (@KPHustle2) June 1, 2025
Dang that goes hard
— Jake Anderson (@Jake_A___) June 1, 2025
As one can see, Watson just put three shushing face emojis on a picture of himself working out on a practice field. It is not clear if this really means he will be back earlier than expected, or if he is quietly preparing for an impressive season once he is fully recovered.
Perhaps both are true.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!