With the Detroit Lions coming to Lambeau, the Green Bay Packers get their first chance of retribution against the team that denied them a final Wild Card playoff spot in 2022. But will the Packers have their most towering option available ahead of Thursday night in Christian Watson?
From the current NFL standings to team depth charts to coverage of every game in the 18-week NFL schedule, we have all the news from around the league to keep you up to speed!
Latest Update on Christian Watson Revealed
The second-year wide receiver is still questionable as of Wednesday — first revealed by NFL insider Tom Peliserro of the NFL Network. Jones is one of three players with that injury distinction and one of six Packers on the latest report.
“Packers RB Aaron Jones (hamstring), WR Christian Watson (hamstring) and CB Jaire Alexander (back) are questionable for Thursday’s game against Detroit, while LT David Bakhtiari (knee), G Elgton Jenkins (knee) and LB De’Vondre Campbell (ankle) are out,” Peliserro shared on X.
#Packers RB Aaron Jones (hamstring), WR Christian Watson (hamstring) and CB Jaire Alexander (back) are questionable for Thursday's game against Detroit, while LT David Bakhtiari (knee), G Elgton Jenkins (knee) and LB De'Vondre Campbell (ankle) are out.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 27, 2023
Watson did attempt to play on Sunday with the New Orleans Saints in town. NFL Network field reporter Stacey Dales caught a video of Watson trying to warm up for the contest.
Christian Watson testing the hamstring pic.twitter.com/tbltBVFWQp
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) September 24, 2023
Watson, however, was not on the field with the Packers. Romeo Doubs ended up emerging as the leading wide receiver with five catches, 73 yards, and one touchdown — an eight-yarder from Jordan Love to win the game with less than three minutes left.
Fantasy Impact of Watson’s Ailment
How will Watson’s potential absence impact the fantasy football realm?
PFN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe dove into what the effects could be, especially long-term.
“Through three weeks, Jordan Love is the league leader in air yards per throw, a style of play that would seem to fit Watson’s vertical game like a glove. Long-term, Watson’s stock is in good shape, but should he make his debut against the Lions, it’s difficult to rank him as anything more than a hopeful flex play due to the re-injury risk that comes with a soft tissue issue,” Soppe said.
And even if Watson is good to go, he’ll be facing a much-improved Lions defense that hasn’t given up a lot of big plays through three games. Soppe points out how the Lions haven’t allowed a 35-yard reception yet this season.
No, Watson shouldn’t disrupt the Packers’ receiving corps fully against the Lions, Soppe believes.
MORE: Green Bay Packers Depth Chart
“That’s not to say they are an elite unit that fantasy football managers should now fear, but with three receivers owning an aDOT north of 11 yards, the Packers have a variety of downfield options,” Soppe said.
“If the Packers are able to crack the code to the backend of the Lions secondary, are we even sure Watson is the beneficiary? His fantasy profile has a lot to like, but a return to action off of the hamstring injury in this spot comes with just as much risk as it does potential reward.”