The Green Bay Packers have endured a rough offseason filled with injuries, and their struggles were evident in a 30-10 preseason loss to the New York Jets. Both the offense and defense looked out of sync, creating uncertainty about what to expect when the regular season arrives. For a team with playoff aspirations, these early warning signs can’t be ignored.
Amid the mostly minor injuries across the roster, wide receiver Christian Watson remains the biggest question mark. The fourth-year pass-catcher has been sidelined since tearing his ACL in Week 18 of the 2024 season, and his recovery timeline continues to draw attention as Green Bay prepares for their Week 2 clash against the Indianapolis Colts.
Will Christian Watson Start the 2025 Season on the PUP List?
Watson went down on a non-contact play against the Chicago Bears in the regular season finale and had his surgery in January 2025. The 26-year-old has made remarkable progress throughout the offseason and is running sprints at practice just seven months after the injury. However, looking good in shorts doesn’t translate to game readiness.
Christian Watson’s not practicing at a contact level yet but the receiver looks like he’s in great shape at this point in his recovery.
The receiver room has the potential to be STACKED this season 🔥🔥🔥#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/4HTIycZdts
— SleeperPackers (@SleeperPackers) July 31, 2025
Watson still isn’t healthy enough to play in the preseason, which tells the real story. General manager Brian Gutekunst recently confirmed what many expected: Watson will start the regular season on the PUP list.
“I mean, it’s tough because when you see him run … want to throw him out there, right?” Gutekunst said. “But there’s kind of a timeline with these ACLs and he’s ahead of the curve, there’s no doubt about it. But at the same time, he’s got a long career in front of him, so we want to make sure we take the proper steps and we don’t skip any steps along the way.
“I think more than likely he’ll start the year on the PUP. After that fourth game I’m sure he’s going to be champing at the bit, and it’s going take a lot of us to hold him back.”
How Will Watson’s Absence Impact Green Bay’s Receiving Room?
Watson was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft and has been consistent in his three years with the Packers. However, he hasn’t been able to break out yet, leaving his role somewhat undefined heading into this crucial season.
The timing creates additional pressure. With a loaded receiver room in Green Bay, Watson faces an uphill battle to reclaim his spot when he returns. The Packers drafted breakout candidate Matthew Golden, who directly competes with Watson’s skill set. Meanwhile, Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs have established themselves as primary weapons for quarterback Jordan Love.
This competition means Watson won’t simply walk back into his previous role. When he does return, he’ll have to fight for snaps, facing younger, healthier competition that has been building chemistry with Love all season.
The stakes extend beyond 2025-26. Watson is entering the final year of his rookie deal and will become an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
If he can’t get back on the field and prove his value to the organization, his future in Green Bay may be hanging by a thread. For a player who has yet to have his breakout season, this injury couldn’t have come at a worse time.
