Packers Lose Key Weapon as Christian Watson Exits with Chest Injury Against Broncos
The Green Bay Packers walked into Denver with momentum and a mission. But in a game that already had some heat before kickoff-thanks to a pregame skirmish-the real blow came midway through when wide receiver Christian Watson went down with a chest injury and was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game.
The injury happened on a deep shot from quarterback Jordan Love, who was targeting Watson in one-on-one coverage against Broncos star cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Love took the shot, but Surtain-last year’s Defensive Player of the Year-won the battle, coming down with the interception.
As the play ended, Watson hit the turf hard and immediately grabbed at his shoulder. Trainers helped him off the field, and not long after, the team confirmed he wouldn’t return.
This is a tough break for a player who had just started to get back into rhythm. Watson missed the first seven weeks of the season recovering from an ACL tear suffered late in 2024.
Since returning, he’s been a spark plug-posting 452 yards in seven games and reminding everyone why he’s such a critical part of this offense. Just last week, he was the difference-maker in a win over the Bears, finding the end zone twice and showing off his trademark explosiveness.
With tight end Tucker Kraft already sidelined for the season due to his own ACL injury, Watson’s return had been a much-needed boost-especially in the red zone, where his size and speed make him a matchup nightmare. Losing him now forces the Packers to shuffle the deck again.
That means more weight on the shoulders of Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs, who’ve both shown flashes this season. Reed has emerged as a versatile threat, while Doubs brings a steady presence on the outside. At tight end, Luke Musgrave has stepped up admirably in Kraft’s absence, but now he’ll need to be even more of a red-zone weapon as the Packers look to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Running back Josh Jacobs already punched in one touchdown in this game, and with Watson out, the Packers may need to lean on him even more to grind out tough yards and keep the offense moving. The pressure’s also on Love, who’s shown growth this season but now faces another test: can he keep this offense humming without one of his top targets?
This game matters. For Green Bay, it’s not just about beating Denver-it’s about staying on track in a tight NFC playoff race. They’re chasing their tenth win, and every snap from here on out could shape their postseason fate.