Watson, who is expected to begin the season on the reserve/PUP list, currently doesn't appear to be a player recovering from a torn ACL, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watson suffered an ACL tear in his right knee Week 18 of last season, but he appears to have made significant strides in his recovery considering how he's moving about. Despite the positive state of the situation, he opened training camp on the active/PUP list and seems destined to move to reserve/PUP once cut-down day arrives on Aug. 26. The Packers' medical staff is overly cautious with rehabs from serious injuries, so even if he could suit up during the first four weeks of the upcoming campaign, there's a good chance he'll continue to build up strength in his right leg, which previously was plagued by hamstring issues, with the aim to deploy him at some point in the first half of the season.

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said Wednesday that Watson (knee) is "a freak" and "pressing to get out there" but still won't be rushed into practices this summer, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watson suffered his ACL tear in Week 18 last season, giving him almost exactly nine months between the date of the injury and Week 1 of 2025. He's starting training camp on the PUP list, with Gutekunst's comments Wednesday suggesting Watson might remain out of practice for a while. Week 1 may still be a big ask, but it at least sounds like Watson is on schedule (or ahead of it) in his rehab process, with a chance to contribute in the first half of the season. The Packers open training camp with Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks are their top wide receivers.

The Packers placed Watson (knee) on the active/PUP list Friday, Zach Jacobson of 247Sports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This move is merely procedural as Watson continues his recovery from the torn ACL he suffered in his right knee Week 18 of last season. Considering he's only a bit more than six months removed from the injury, he seems hard-pressed to progress enough to be available Week 1 against the Lions on Sunday, Sept. 7, but coach Matt LaFleur told Ryan Wood of USA Today in early May that Watson "looks like a freak, like he always does. In a positive way." Watson's status will be monitored as the Packers embark on training camp and the preseason, but cut-down day on Aug. 26 will be of keen interst to see if the team moves him to the reserve/PUP list, which would require him to miss the first four games of the upcoming campaign.

Head coach Matt LaFleur said Friday that Watson (knee) has "been outstanding" in his recovery from the torn right ACL he suffered in early January and is "working hard," Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

LaFleur said Watson's work ethic approaching his ACL rehab has been impressive, per Ryan Wood of USA Today, but the timing of the young wideout's injury sheds serious doubt on his availability for the early portion of the regular season. Green Bay also invested significant draft capital at the wide receiver position in April's draft in the form of first-round pick Matthew Golden and third-rounder Savion Williams. With all of Jayden Reed (shoulder), Romeo Doubs (concussion), Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, Mecole Hardman (knee) and Malik Heath also on hand, the Packers boast one of the league's most crowded receiver rooms, meaning Watson will face tough competition for snaps even if he enjoys an exceptional recovery timeline.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Monday that Watson is done for the year due to a torn right ACL, Lily Zhao of Fox 6 News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watson will miss the entirety of Green Bay's postseason, which will kick off Sunday on the road against the Eagles in a wild-card round matchup. The 2022 second-round pick also may be in significant danger of missing time during the 2025 campaign due to the timing of his right knee injury. With Watson officially unavailable for the playoffs, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs (illness) and Dontayvion Wicks will be the regulars in three-wide sets for Jordan Love (hand), if the quarterback gains clearance to play. Bo Melton and Malik Heath also are positioned to take on expanded depth roles.

Watson (knee) is believed to have sustained a torn right ACL and additional damage to his knee during Sunday's loss to the Bears, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watson's injury timing is devastating both for his odds of being ready for the start of the 2025 season and for a Packers team hoping to kick off a playoff push beginning with Sunday's wild-card round matchup in Philadelphia. The 2022 second-round pick suffered a non-contact injury in the second quarter of Sunday's loss to Chicago and subsequently was carted to the locker room. Dontayvion Wicks will figure to step into the No. 3 role behind Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs (illness) in the wake of Watson's injury, with Bo Melton and Malik Heath also now slated for expanded roles.

Coach Matt LaFleur didn't express optimism regarding the right knee injury that forced Watson out of Sunday's loss to the Bears, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports. "I'm not super confident in that right now," LaFleur said.

EDGE Analysis

Watson appeared to suffer a non-contact injury while running a route early in the second quarter. He required assistance to reach the sideline and then was carted to the locker room before being ruled out after halftime. The exact nature of Watson's health concern isn't known but should be clarified in due time once the necessary battery of tests are undertaken. The Packers now have a few question marks in their receiving corps, as Romeo Doubs was sidelined due to an illness Sunday.

Watson (knee) won't return to Sunday's contest against the Bears.

EDGE Analysis

Watson needed a cart to get to the locker room early in the second quarter after he went down in the middle of a route. Initially deemed questionable to return, he now will remain out for the rest of Week 18 and potentially into the playoffs if his right knee injury eventually is considered to be a serious one. As for the rest of Sunday, with Romeo Doubs (illness) also sidelined, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton and Malik Heath will compose the Packers' receiving corps.

Watson suffered a right knee injury during Sunday's game against the Bears.

EDGE Analysis

Watson went down in the middle of a route early in the second quarter and needed assistance from the training staff to get off the field before being carted to the locker room. If he's unable to return, he'll finish Week 18 with no catches on one target.

Watson (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Bears, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

After Watson logged a second DNP in a row Thursday, coach Matt LaFleur told Bill Huber of SI.com that the wide receiver's availability for Week 18 likely would come down to Friday's practice. Watson ended up a limited participant in that session, which was enough for him to put an end to a one-game absence. Meanwhile, fellow WR Romeo Doubs was added to the injury report Saturday due to an illness, which left him questionable and eventually inactive for Sunday's contest. As a result, Watson, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks will be the Packers' primary receivers in the regular-season finale, while Bo Melton and Malik Heath also should mix in.