The Green Bay Packers are heading into a critical Week 17 matchup with a bit of uncertainty surrounding wide receiver Christian Watson. After logging full practices earlier in the week, Watson was a surprise non-participant on Thursday - but not because of the shoulder injury that’s been nagging him. This time, it’s an illness that’s landed him on the injury report and earned him a questionable tag heading into Saturday night’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.
So, where does that leave us with Watson’s availability?
Watson’s Status: Trending in the Right Direction
While there’s no official word yet on whether Watson will suit up, the signs point to optimism. The illness appears to be the only hurdle left, and given that he practiced in full on both Tuesday and Wednesday, his shoulder seems to be in a manageable spot. The timing of the illness - coming earlier in the week - also gives Watson a better shot at recovery compared to players who were ruled out closer to game day due to similar issues.
We’ve seen other players around the league, like Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez and Lions tackle Taylor Decker, get ruled out late due to illnesses. But those were more last-minute situations. In Watson’s case, the Packers have had time to manage it, which bodes well for his chances of playing.
If Watson Sits, Who Steps Up?
If Watson can’t go, the Packers will need to lean more heavily on their young receiving corps - a group that’s already shown flashes of promise. Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, and Dontayvion Wicks would all see increased roles.
Reed, in particular, has been a versatile weapon this season, and Wicks has quietly carved out a solid role as a possession receiver. Still, Watson brings a vertical threat and red zone presence that’s hard to replicate.
Fantasy Outlook: Should You Start Christian Watson?
Let’s talk fantasy football, because this is the time of year when every lineup decision feels like it could make or break your season.
Since returning in Week 8, Watson has been the Packers’ most consistent wide receiver. Over that stretch, he’s ranked as WR30 overall - but that number doesn’t tell the whole story.
Strip away the last two weeks, where he was either injured or clearly not operating at full speed, and Watson was producing at a WR20 pace from Weeks 8 through 14. That’s borderline WR2 territory, and it speaks to the kind of upside he brings when he’s healthy.
In Week 15, Watson exited early with the shoulder injury. In Week 16, he played, but didn’t look quite like himself. This week, though, he logged two full practices before the illness cropped up, which suggests he was trending back toward full strength before the setback.
Now, there is one more wrinkle: Jordan Love won’t be under center. That’s typically a downgrade for any receiver, but backup Malik Willis is capable of keeping the offense functional. He’s mobile, has a live arm, and can extend plays - traits that could actually benefit a deep threat like Watson, assuming he’s on the field.
And the matchup? Not too shabby.
The Ravens’ defense has been solid overall, but they’ve allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season. That puts Watson firmly in the flex conversation, especially for managers looking to swing for upside in a playoff matchup.
Bottom Line
If Christian Watson is active, he’s worth a long look in your fantasy lineup. The illness is something to monitor, but the shoulder appears to be under control, and the matchup is favorable. Keep an eye on pregame reports, but if he’s cleared to play, Watson brings enough upside to justify a start - especially with fantasy championships on the line.