Packers-Steelers Wednesday Injury Report: Christian Watson Returns

Christian Watson and two other injured Green Bay Packers were back on the practice field on Wednesday.

Author:
Bill Huber
Updated:
Nov 8, 2023 4:47 PM EST
Original:
Nov 8, 2023

In this story:

GREEN BAY, Wis. – With about 5 minutes to go in the Green Bay Packers’ victory over the Los Angeles Rams, Christian Watson made a leaping catch for a gain of 37 yards that set up the clinching touchdown.

Watson got up, took a couple steps and collapsed to the turf. Along with chest and back injuries, Watson was being evaluated for a concussion.

On Wednesday, Watson was back on the field as full participation as the Packers began their prep for Sunday’s game at the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He was “full go,” coach Matt LaFleur said.

Watson said he got the wind knocked out of him.

“It was definitely worth it," he said. "Honestly, it really didn’t hurt that much. I just couldn’t catch my breath. I got the wind knocked out of me. It was definitely worth it. It set us up to score that drive, too. Every single catch is worth it.”

Also back in action during the media viewing window:

- Defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who missed the second half of the game with a shoulder injury when he tried to “forklift” a Rams lineman. Clark said he’d be “all right,” and he was, as he participated at the start of the full-pads practice.

- Safety Rudy Ford, who was inactive vs. Los Angeles due to a calf injury sustained at practice.

- Also of note, running back Aaron Jones, whose 24 touches were more than double his previous season high of 11, practiced without the protective red jersey he wore for all three practices last week.

All three of those players were limited participation, as was left guard Elgton Jenkins.

Four players – all starters – did not practice:

- Cornerback Jaire Alexander recently missed three out of four games due to a back injury. His absence on Wednesday, however, was due to a shoulder injury. He got a “little banged up” against the Rams, LaFleur said.

Alexander, who received the game ball, was all smiles after the game.

“I just told the guys savor this moment,” he said. “Wins aren’t easy in this league and when we do win, you’ve got to enjoy it. And I said, next week, we got another challenge and we’re going to go out there and we’re going to go win again.”

- Linebacker Quay Walker, the team’s leading tackler, was inactive against the Rams with a groin injury. Isaiah McDuffie got the start; he tied for the team lead with seven tackles and led the team with two tackles for losses.

- Right guard Jon Runyan, who missed a series against the Rams with an undisclosed injury, was listed with a neck injury.

“We’re looking forward to it because you always want to go against the best,” Runyan said on Wednesday of facing the Steelers.

- Yosh Nijman, who got his first start of the year at left tackle, sustained a shoulder injury during the first half and ceded the position to Rasheed Walker, who had started the previous six games.

Nijman on Monday said his back “got twisted.” He said the injury was “nothing” but also that he was “day by day.”

It was the second consecutive game in which Nijman replaced Walker, only to be replaced by Walker due to injury.

“It’s mishaps,” he said. “I’ve been used to it all my career, though. College, here, high school, I personally feel like I’m a man made out of titanium (but) we have this human, frail body and we can’t do much about it. We’ve got medicine and a whole bunch of other stuff to take care of it, so that’s what we try to do.”