Christian Watson’s 2025 season has been a frustrating one - not for lack of talent, but because his body just hasn’t cooperated. The Green Bay Packers wide receiver has spent more time on the injury report than in the end zone this year, and now, with the regular season winding down, his status for Week 17 is once again up in the air.
Let’s rewind a bit. Watson didn’t take a single snap until Week 8, working his way back from a torn ACL he suffered late in the 2024 season.
That kind of injury is no small hurdle, especially for a player whose game is built on speed and explosiveness. But just as he was starting to find his rhythm, another setback hit - this time, a shoulder injury that forced him out of Green Bay’s Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
To his credit, Watson gutted it out in Week 16, suiting up against the Bears despite the shoulder still bothering him. It wasn’t a perfect performance, but it showed the kind of toughness and commitment the Packers have come to expect from the 26-year-old wideout.
Now, as Green Bay prepares for a critical Week 17 clash with the Baltimore Ravens, Watson’s availability is once again in question. Earlier in the week, things were trending in the right direction. He logged full practices on both Tuesday and Wednesday - a strong sign that the shoulder was improving.
But then came Thursday.
Watson was suddenly absent from practice, and not just because of the shoulder. An illness has been making its way through the Packers' locker room, and according to team reports, Watson appears to be one of the latest to catch it. Offensive lineman Sean Rhyan is also listed as questionable with the same issue.
So now, Watson is dealing with a double whammy - a sore shoulder and a bug that’s been sidelining multiple players. It’s a tough break for a guy who’s been trying to build momentum late in the season.
When he’s been on the field, Watson has reminded everyone why the Packers took him in the second round back in 2022. His size-speed combo stretches defenses, and his chemistry with Jordan Love has shown flashes of real promise. But availability is everything in the NFL, and right now, that’s the biggest question mark surrounding Watson.
With playoff implications still in play, Green Bay could certainly use his presence against a physical Ravens defense. Whether he can suit up Saturday will likely come down to how he responds over the next 48 hours.
If Watson can push through - both the shoulder and the illness - he could give the Packers a much-needed boost. If not, it’s yet another chapter in a season that’s been defined more by setbacks than highlights.