Green Bay Packers receiver Christian Watson suffered a knee injury on Monday night and did not practice all week, but coach Matt LaFleur said the window remains “open” for Watson to play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Packers deemed Watson unfit to play in the final team health report released Friday.
“It’s still open,” LaFleur said. “His condition is getting better.”
LaFleur said Thursday that Watson has enough experience to play a game without practicing during the week, although it’s quite sporadic for a player to not practice and still play — especially in the compact week after Monday’s game.
Watson is believed to have a bruise on his knee after a defender fell on him tardy in the first half of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field on Monday night. He briefly left the field, returned for a while, but ultimately left the field in the second half.
Watson will have approximately 48 hours for further treatment and physical preparation for the game.
Arguably, no pass catcher has been better for the Packers since the bye.
Since Week 11, six games ago, Watson leads the team in receiving yards with 387 (Tucker Kraft is the closest with 242). He has nine catches over 20 yards and four over 40 yards and ranks first in the NFL in yards per catch at 29.8 and third in yards per route at 3.37.
If Watson is unable to go, the Packers will rely on Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks among their top three receivers. Because Melton, who has vertical route speed, could also get more opportunities.
