Christian Watson's Recovery Journey

Christian Watson, the Green Bay Packers' dynamic wide receiver, is on the verge of making his return from a significant ACL injury. Watson, who signed a one-year, $11 million contract extension last week, is focused on ensuring he returns to the field at full strength.

The Timeline for Return

Watson is currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and must remain there for two more weeks. After completing a four-week stay on the PUP list, he can begin practicing. Given the Packers' Week 5 bye, his first opportunity to practice would be in Week 6. This timeline places his return almost exactly nine months after his injury in the regular-season finale.

Contract Details and Motivation

Watson's contract includes a $6,067,078 million signing bonus and a $1.1 million base salary for this season, which would have been the final year of his rookie deal. In 2026, he will have a base salary of $3.42 million plus up to $1.825 million in weekly roster bonuses. Watson emphasized that the contract allows him to focus on his recovery without the pressure of rushing back.

Watson's Perspective

'I think that's up to the training staff, but I'd assume whenever my window opens up, I'll be able to work in a little bit,' Watson said. He also reflected on his past injuries and the importance of returning at full strength. 'I feel like I've learned from experiences in the past of trying to get out there too quick, unfortunately, and I just got to try to be as smart as possible.'

Packers' Optimism

The Packers have been impressed with Watson's recovery speed. General manager Brian Gutekunst noted, 'It's going to take a lot of us to hold him back' when he's eligible to come off the PUP list. However, the team typically waits until players are 10 months removed from ACL surgery before allowing them to return to game action, meaning Watson might practice for several weeks before being cleared to play.

Watson's Confidence

Watson expressed confidence in his readiness, stating, 'I feel like if it was the NFC Championship Game tomorrow, I would be able to go out there and feel confident for sure.' He is determined to return at 100% and not let the injury be a long-term concern.

Conclusion

Christian Watson's return to the Packers is eagerly anticipated. His focus on a full recovery and the support from the team suggest that he will be back on the field, ready to make an impact, in the near future.