Christian Watson Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Concerning injuries to Packers duo putting pressure on Jordan Love

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 9/6/23

Jordan Love's first game as "the guy" for the Green Bay Packers is this Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

You know, the franchise that Aaron Rodgers famously (or infamously) owns? This is only a rivalry that has been going on since 1921. It's the oldest rivalry in the NFL.

No pressure, right?

Love has appeared to be unflappable so far as he looks to replace the Hall of Fame quarterback who replaced the Hall of Fame quarterback, but injury news from practice on Wednesday could spell the start of some stress for the young quarterback.

Second-year wideouts Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, two of Love's favorite targets and the reason for optimism surrounding the Packers offense in 2023, did not practice.

It’s a hamstring for Christian Watson. Same as Doubs. pic.twitter.com/Jr5hVFTHGm
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) September 6, 2023

The Doubs injury has been known and he's been noncommittal about playing in Week 1, but the hamstring injury to Watson is new news, and that could be devastating to the Packers. When he's healthy, he's already proven to be one of the most dynamic wideouts in football. Watson notched 41 catches for 611 yards and seven touchdowns last season. All seven of those touchdowns came within four games.

He was expected to take a step up in 2023 to become WR1, or at least compete for that honor with Doubs.

Matt LaFleur will let the 3 pm injury report reveal what Christian Watson's injury is, but he said he will give Watson and Romeo Doubs (hamstring) the full week to get ready for the opener. Obviously, he has no reason to declare them in or out today.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) September 6, 2023

If both can't play against Chicago, which is certainly a possibility (head coach Matt LaFleur was noncommittal), Love will be in a position that has been familiar for Packers quarterbacks over the years — and specifically Rodgers.

He'll have to make something out of nothing.

Talk about pressure.

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