Packers get crucial news on star WR’s status for Week 16 after Denver hospital visit

The Green Bay Packers received an encouraging update on Christian Watson’s injury on Wednesday after the wide receiver was listed as a limited participant in practice. That development raises the possibility of his return against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Saturday night.

Watson was hospitalized with chest and shoulder injuries following Sunday’s 34-26 loss to the Denver Broncos. After exiting the game early in the third quarter, he was evaluated at a local hospital before traveling back with the team. He later provided an update on his availability for Week 16.

“Dodged a bullet with it, so definitely think I’m in a better spot than I anticipated right away, so just going to battle through this week and we’ll see how it goes,” Watson said on Wednesday.

Christian Watson explained that the injury occurred when he landed awkwardly, elbow-first, on the turf and jammed his shoulder on impact. While the injury was initially feared to be serious, the wide receiver said he felt a “sigh of relief” after further testing.

“Probably the next morning when I was able to get all the scans and stuff done,” Watson said. “But I had a good idea that it wasn’t [serious]. Obviously, I got the X-rays right away and those were negative so that was the main thing for me.

“So, that was definitely a sigh of relief. It was definitely hurting pretty bad that night. So, I was still kind of up in the air, but once I was able to get all the scans and stuff it was definitely a sigh of relief.”

Jordan Loves admits Christian Watson’s impact in the passing game

Christian Watson returned to action in late October after recovering from a torn ACL suffered in January. Since his return, the wide receiver has made an immediate impact as a deep threat in the Packers’ offense.

Quarterback Jordan Love spoke on Wednesday about Watson’s influence on the passing game.

“Since we’ve got Christian back, I think we’ve had more explosive plays in the pass game,” Love said. “I think that’s kind of the player that Christian is. He poses some speed matchups when he gets the ball in his hand and he’s able to do some cool things.

“We’ve played a good amount of games this season without him so we’ve got plenty of playmakers at the receiver position and guys who can make plays if he wasn’t able to go. But, he’s done some great things since he’s been back and just adds another explosive element to our offense.”

Christian Watson has recorded 48 receptions for 481 yards and five touchdowns across eight games this season. He has averaged at least nine yards per catch in all of those games and at least 20 yards per reception in five of them.