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Christian Watson has strong message for Packers after returning to practice
Help on the way for Packers wide receiving corps 1 Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) makes a catch against Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.

The Packers have three weeks to decide whether to activate wide receiver Christian Watson from the Physically Unable to Perform list, but the playmaking wide receiver is hoping he’s back on the field and in quarterback Jordan Love’s supporting cast far quicker than that.

After returning to practice for the first time Monday since tearing his ACL in Green Bay’s regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears, Watson issued a strong and direct statement to head coach Matt LaFleur and the Packers’ training staff, as he works his way back.

“I just want to stack days,” Watson told reporters after practice. “As long as I continue to feel good, obviously my goal is to play as soon as possible.”

Watson, who has caught 98 passes for 1,653 yards and 14 touchdowns through his first three seasons, would make a compelling case to become Jordan Love’s No. 1 target, alongside tight end Tucker Kraft and first-round rookie receiver Matthew Golden for a receiving corps that is navigating mounting injuries so far this season.

However, more than anything else, Watson just wants to get back to 100 percent.

“I’d say the only hurdle really is just getting live reps and getting back into everything … just knocking the rust off, getting back into full football mode, live bullets.”

Watson was only able to do individual drills on Tuesday, but just how quickly the Packers ramp up his workload in practice could telegraph when he’ll be back on the field in game action, for Green Bay.

Help on the way for Packers wide receiving corps 2 January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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