Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) warmed up inside with the team for the first time on Thursday since injuring his knee in the Week 16 win over the New Orleans Saints, but he didn't come outside with the rest of the team to practice. It appears that Watson is making some progress with his bruised left knee, but it may not be enough for the Packers to feel comfortable throwing him out there in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Chicago Bears. The 25-year-old does have one more day of practice on Friday, though. Given Watson's lengthy injury history, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Green Bay rest him for a second straight game so that he can be closer to full strength for the start of the playoffs next week. If Watson is ruled out on Friday, it will mean more targets for receivers Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and tight end Tucker Kraft.UPDATE: Head coach Matt LaFleur said Watson probably "would have to get some work in tomorrow (Friday)" if he's going to play on Sunday.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice session. Watson suffered a bruised left knee in the Week 16 win over the New Orleans Saints and didn't practice or play in last week's loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. The fact that the 25-year-old still isn't practicing isn't a good sign for his availability in the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday against the division-rival Chicago Bears, but Watson does still have two more days to return to the field. Watson's injury isn't considered very serious, but given his injury history, the Packers are more likely to err on the side of caution again this week to make sure he's ready to go for the playoffs. If Watson returns to practice in the next two days and plays, he'll be a shaky WR4/flex in fantasy lineups. Watson has averaged only 5.9 half-PPR points this year and has only scored twice.

Green Bay Packers running backs Josh Jacobs (wrist) and Chris Brooks (ankle) were both listed as limited in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Jacobs is dealing with what appears to be a minor wrist injury heading into the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers have a shot to move up to the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoff picture with a win this weekend and a Washington Commanders loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and from all indications, the Packers don't have any plans to rest starters, including Jacobs. Keep an eye on the 26-year-old's practice status the rest of the week, but barring a setback, Jacobs should play on Sunday and should be treated as a strong RB1 option in fantasy when considering that many other starting RBs will be rested this weekend.

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft was solid in his limited opportunity in the Packers' 27-25 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17. Kraft caught 2-of-3 passes from quarterback Jordan Love for 53 receiving yards and had the Packers' longest pass play of the day; a 35-yard strike from Love in the fourth quarter that helped to set up their first of two touchdowns in the final stanza. While the Packers had their most passing attempts since before their Week 10 bye, it wasn't enough for Green Bay to put up any sort of meaningful passing volume outside of Romeo Doubs' team-leading 11 targets. The Packers will host the Chicago Bears in their Week 18 finale and Kraft should be considered a streaming option at tight end for fantasy purposes.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed continued his steep backslide in consistency and production as the Packers fell to the Minnesota Vikings 27-25. Reed had been a bit disappointing of late with his fantasy production with a combined eight catches for 110 yards in his last three weeks combined, but he caught his only target for six yards in Green Bay's loss. With Christian Watson (knee) inactive for Week 17's game, the hope was that targets would condense to multiple weapons in the Packers' offense. However, it was Romeo Doubs, not Reed, who was the primary recipient of those looks from quarterback Jordan Love as Doubs led the Packers in targets. Consider Reed a low-end flex option when the Packers host the Chicago Bears in their Week 18 regular season finale.