Packers give promising update on blue-chip offensive player

The Green Bay Packers have denied the notion of a wide receiver one on the roster since they traded Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders two years ago. However, if there is one player on the roster with a ceiling high enough to become that, he is Christian Watson.

Going into his third NFL season, though, the receiver has battled multiple hamstring injuries that have derailed significant parts of his career so far.

At least for now, though, the Packers seem confident that Watson can leave the problems behind him.

"He went down and saw all the specialists and did everything the training staff has done, and they've done a tremendous job. He's in a great place right now," Packers passing game coordinator Jason Vrable said last week. "I just say, 'Hey, if there's ever a day you maybe feel fatigued or run down from multiple days in a row, just give me a heads up and let me know so we're more on the same page.' Everybody thinks a young player should just be able to run for days. The difference in him is that when he's running, he's hitting 21 miles per hour multiple days in a row."

Vrable isn't the wide receivers coach anymore. But even after being promoted exclusively to passing game coordinator, he still spends more time with the receivers. And he knows Green Bay is a "better team when he (Watson) is out on the field."

"Everybody knows that around this building," Vrabel mentioned. "He's had a great offseason. He's in great spirits."

Head coach Matt LaFleur had talked about Christian Watson. More than looking good in the offseason, the coach says Watson has to carry that into the regular season.

"He looks great," LaFleur said. "He's had a really good start to the offseason. We just gotta keep it going that way."

Earlier this offseason, Christian Watson's dad shared that specialists had found the root of the receiver's frequent injuries. That is an important first step for him to be fully healthy throughout an entire season.

A second-round pick in 2022, Christian Watson played 14 games in 2022 and nine in 2023, totalling 1,124 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns. Last year, though, his efficiency numbers went down, and he was the fourth receiver on the depth chart — behind Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks.