The Green Bay Packers’ first game with Jordan Love as quarterback will be without at least one of his top two receivers.
Christian Watson, a speedster, will not play in the Chicago Bears on Sunday in the regular-season opener because of a hamstring injury, coach Matt LaFleur said on Friday.
Romeo Doubs, a fellow receiver who was also suffering with a hamstring issue, was rated as questionable, but LaFleur said there was a chance he would play on Sunday.
Watson appeared on the injured report this week despite not missing a single practice during the training camp. It’s unclear when the injury occurred because he even participated in both practices last week after the preseason opener.
“Well, we still had a whole week to kind of prepare for this,” LaFleur said Friday. “So I wouldn’t say that would alter the plan too drastically. I think any time you’re missing one of your better players, certainly throws a little curveball to it. But I mean, that happens all the time. Shoot, Chiefs had to deal with that last night.”
Watson’s injury was described by LaFleur as “hopefully just week to week,” which suggests injured reserve may not be required. If Watson went on IR, he would have to sit out at least four games.
Due to a hamstring injury, Watson missed three games (Weeks 3, 6, and 7) in the previous campaign. It is unknown if the leg that was hurt last year is the one that is hurt this year. Due to a knee ailment, he also missed the most of his rookie training camp.
Watson caught 41 catches for 611 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games last year. Two of those were TDs of more than 50 yards. He also scored twice while running. In the second half of the season, most of that occurred.
In the first seven games of the season, he had seven receptions for 52 yards.
With Doubs and Watson being the most experienced while just being in their second NFL seasons, the Packers already had one of the youngest receiver groups in the league. Now, the receivers will be Doubs (if available), Samori Toure, a second-year pro who had only five catches the previous season, rookies Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks, and Malik Heath, an undrafted rookie. Bo Melton and/or Grant DuBose may also be promoted from the practice squad.
“It was another good day,” Doubs said being limited in practice on Friday. “Again, 48 hours away. Just got to keep building up and see where we’re at. So far, so good.”
