Packers WR Sammy Watkins placed on non-football injury list

 This is not the news that the Green Bay Packers and their fans were hoping to hear about just before training camp starts. Veteran receiver Sammy Watkins was placed on the non-football injury list Tuesday with an undisclosed injury. However, the good news is that it appears to be a short-term injury and he is expected to practice with the team soon, according to general manager Brian Gutekunst. Regardless, it is not the greatest sign when a free agent-addition, who is tasked with filling the void left by an All-Pro receiver in Davante Adams, is injured before training camp. 

Watkins, who was drafted back in 2014 in the first round by the Buffalo Bills, has not played a full season since his rookie season. He has not played over 14 games in a season since 2014. He has played in 99 total games out of a possible 129. The former Clemson Tiger has only had one 1,000-yard season in his career. Inconsistency has followed Watkins around during his NFL career. His injury history goes back an entire decade into his college days. He has suffered multiple concussions and a multitude of lower-body injuries. 

However, he is a former Super Bowl winner, and Green Bay is hoping he can move on from his rough injury history and contribute to Matt LaFleur's offense. The soon-to-be nine-year veteran signed with the Packers earlier this offseason on a one-year deal and is looking for a career year while catching passes from Aaron Rodgers, who is arguably the best quarterback with which Sammy Watkins has ever played.