Christian Watson should be out for the Green Bay Packers until the latter part of the 2025-26 NFL season but his latest appearances are giving fans hopes. The most recent ones only raised the supporters hope of having him back earlier than expected.
The Packers had their media day on Wednesday which was also the first day of their training camp. Others spoke to the microphone but Watson, who failed to finish the 2024 season due to an ACL injury, was not among them.
He was put on the Physically unable to perform (PUP) list confirm that he won’t be available to play once the new season commence on the first week of September as he is still recovering from a surgery he underwent in on January.
He did not speak on the microphone but he still spent time with the fans during Wednesday practice and even mingled them while riding a bicycle.
An ACL injury isn’t stopping Christian Watson from riding a bike to training camp! @NBC26 pic.twitter.com/4wvSV6ExnL
— Kelly Hallinan (@kellyhals) July 23, 2025
This prompted fans to assume that he might return earlier than expected.
ACL? What ACL? I ain’t hear no bell pic.twitter.com/tUYMQblrQQ
— Choose Liberty (@chooseliberty_) July 24, 2025
Dude may really return early asf this season. Im praying he doesn’t suffer any setbacks. With Watson healthy, this offense will be unstoppable. https://t.co/LWv6Vfild1
— Willy (Pack is Back) D (@PackNThat) July 23, 2025
Mark my words. He’s back after week 4-6.. whatever is the period for pup https://t.co/aa27EB3JXg
— Ama Deisel (@amar3455) July 23, 2025
It is nice to have some hopes but the people around the 26-year-old wide receiver are being cautious.
General manager Brian Gutekunst notices the progress but insists that they are being extra careful with him since this is already his second rodeo on ACL.
“He’s a freak, you know. So he did a run test the other day and looked great,” he said.
“Again, it’s an ACL and it’s his second one, so we’re going to take our time with him. I’m sure there’s going to be a time where he’s really pressing to get out there.”
Watson got Packers fans feeling excited last month when a clip of him doing drills was uploaded. He then said in an interview that he is in a good spot but he still has “a couple more months ahead of me.”
However, like Gutekunst yesterday, head coach Matt LaFleur shut down the prospect of him joining the team early.
“Probably not, to be honest,” LaFleur on the possibility of Watson suiting up early.
“The guys that are available, that’s who you coach and that’s kind of where you focus.
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