Green Bay Packers tight end Christian Watson escaped injury after a scary collision with rookie defensive end Evan Williams during Saturday’s Family Night practice at Lambeau Field during an 11-on-11 period.
On a throw up the seam and into coverage, Watson and Williams collided while going for the ball. Watson appeared shaken but ran off the field and eventually returned for the team period.
“He’s fine. He was back in there within two minutes. Scary moment, for sure,” coach Matt LaFleur said after practice.
Jordan Love tried to pass the ball to Watson with Ty’Ron Hopper behind in defense and Williams on top. LaFleur said he was pleased with Love’s aggressive pass — the pair had connected on a similar pass in practice days earlier — and had no problem with Williams going for the ball in that situation.
“I don’t think it was malicious in any way. Evan Williams is going to make plays with the ball,” LaFleur said. “Those are the ones you worry about, the bang-bang plays down the field. I told him to just try to let it go if he can.”
Collisions in football — even in controlled practice conditions — are essentially inevitable. Still, the Packers are fortunate that Watson came out of it without injury.
“These guys are so fast and physical,” LaFleur said. “The plays happen so fast. That’s football, too. That’s part of it.”
Other than the collision, Watson had a good night. He beat cornerback Jaire Alexander on a route and made a nice over-the-shoulder catch on a deep ball from Love in a 1-on-1, setting up one of the best plays of the practice.
The Packers are off Sunday and Monday and return to practice Tuesday. The team will practice Tuesday and Wednesday before opening the preseason at Cleveland on Saturday.
