Packers WR Christian Watson provides telling update on injury

On Sept. 9, the Green Bay Packers signed wide receiver Christian Watson to a one-year contract extension in the hopes it would incentivize him not to hasten his return from an ACL injury until he was fully healthy.

On Monday, Watson talked to reporters about his extension and provided an update on where he is with his recovery. Per Mike Spofford of the Packers, Watson was appreciative of the extension, saying it took "pressure off" of himself this fall. 

Christian Watson would play if the Green Bay Packers needed him

Watson has yet to return to practice this season, but he's hopeful to be back around the Packers' bye in Week 5. He made a telling comment about his recovery, saying that he'd play right now if Green Bay were in the NFC Championship.

"I feel like if it was the NFC Championship Game tomorrow, I would be able to go out there and feel confident for sure," Watson said. "But I mean, at the end of the day, I gotta be as smart as I can with it and not let it be a long-term thing. 

"Nine months is long enough, so I wanna get the nine months out the way and come back and be 100% Christian Watson and go out there and not have to worry about it anymore. I'm already chomping at the bit, but I've gotta listen to both shoulders."

Based on how the Packers have played in the first two weeks, they could be a threat to make the NFC Championship in January. The defense has been amazing in the two games since they traded for Micah Parsons, and it only looks to get better when the defensive end receives a higher snap count.

The offense will be better when Watson returns to full health. The speedy receiver already provided mismatches on the field before Green Bay drafted Matthew Golden in the first round of April's draft. Watson could be the key to unleashing a dangerous offense to match its defense.