What happened to Christian Watson? Packers WR carted off vs Bears

The Green Bay Packers suffered a major setback in their Week 18 matchup against the Chicago Bears when wide receiver Christian Watson left the game with a knee injury. The incident occurred early in the second quarter with Green Bay trailing 3-14.

Watson collapsed without contact while running his route. Instead, the pass intended for him landed in the vicinity of his teammate Dontayvion Wicks. Watson immediately grabbed his right knee in visible pain.

The timing proved particularly cruel for the wide receiver, who had just returned to action after missing last week's 25-27 Minnesota loss with an injured left knee. Coach Matt LaFleur had planned to be "careful and smart" with Christian Watson's playing time, though no specific snap count was imposed.

Medical staff rushed to assess Christian Watson on the field. He managed to walk to the sideline and entered the medical tent for an initial assessment. The situation worsened as Watson later emerged with hands around his head while carting him to the locker room.

By halftime, the Packers officially ruled Christian Watson out for the remainder of the game. His absence leaves a significant void in Green Bay's passing attack. Watson entered Sunday as the team's third-leading receiver with 29 catches for 620 yards and two touchdowns.

The playoff picture grows murky after Christian Watson and Love's injury

Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love during an NFL game. (Credits: IMAGN)

The loss of Watson wasn't the day's only blow to Green Bay's offense. Quarterback Jordan Love also exited in the second quarter with an elbow injury after taking a hit while completing a pass to Josh Jacobs.

With the playoffs starting next week, the Packers now face serious questions about their offensive firepower. Christian Watson's deep-threat ability, evidenced by his impressive 21.4 yards per reception, has been crucial to stretching opposing defenses.

The Packers had already clinched a playoff spot before Sunday's game, entering as the NFC's No. 7 seed with a chance to improve their position. A win against Chicago could have elevated them to the No. 6 seed in the conference standings.

Now, Green Bay must prepare for their road playoff opener with uncertainty surrounding two key offensive players. The non-contact nature of Watson's injury, combined with his recent knee issues, raises particular concern about his availability for the postseason.

The coming days will prove critical as the Green Bay Packers assess the extent of both injuries and adjust their playoff strategy accordingly. This latest setback arrives at the most inopportune moment for Watson, who has battled various injuries this season.