Christian Watson DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) had his ACL surgery and is expected to be back around the midway point of the 2025 season, according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman. "Doing well. He's got a lot in front of him, but I expect him to attack it like he does everything else everything so far's been really good. He's been through this before, so he knows what to expect. It's a big injury. It may take some time, but he's got the right mindset, positive attitude toward it," general manager Brian Gutekunst said. The 25-year-old wideout tore his ACL in Week 18 against the Bears and finished his third year in the NFL with 29 catches (53 targets) for a career-high 620 receiving yards and a career-low two touchdowns in 15 starts. Known as a slow healer, it wouldn't be a surprise if Watson's recovery lingers into the second half. In standard 12-team leagues this fall, Watson will most likely go undrafted.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2025 season after suffering a torn ACL in the Week 18 loss to the Chicago Bears. The 25-year-old has been plagued by the injury bug through the first three seasons of his NFL career, missing 13 regular-season games since being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. His potential delayed start to next season comes as no surprise given the timing of the major injury, and the Packers could look to bring in more wide receiver options via free agency or the 2025 NFL Draft. It won't be a surprise if Watson starts next season on the PUP list, meaning he'd be forced to sit out at least the first four games.

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed on Monday that wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) suffered a torn right ACL in the loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale and will miss the rest of the season. "It's not good," LaFleur said. Watson suffered a bruise in his knee in Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints and was held out of the Week 17 loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings before returning on Sunday, only to suffer a season-ending injury. It's a big blow to the Packers heading into the postseason, as Watson is one of the team's best deep-threat wideouts. The 25-year-old former second-rounder finishes his third NFL season with only 29 receptions and two touchdowns but with a career-high 620 receiving yards in 15 games. Given the timing of his injury and his reputation as a slow healer, there's a good chance Watson won't be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign.