Packers-Vikings Wednesday Injury Report: No Problems for Christian Watson

While Darnell Savage was placed on injured reserve and Aaron Jones and Luke Musgrave did not practice, the Packers got some good news on their Wednesday injury report.

Author:
Bill Huber
Updated:
Oct 25, 2023 8:03 PM EDT
Original:
Oct 25, 2023

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Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers posted another long injury report on Wednesday. One incredibly noteworthy absence from those listed as did not participate or limited participation: receiver Christian Watson.

Unable to catch an off-target throw during the final moments of Sunday’s loss at the Denver Broncos, Watson hopped off the field before collapsing on the sideline because of a knee injury. However, he was listed as full participation on coach Matt LaFleur’s first injury report before Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

“Me, personally, I was definitely a little scared there,” Watson said after Wednesday’s practice. “Definitely don’t want to deal with anything knee-wise, don’t want to deal with any injuries. In the moment, it definitely was pretty scary, the initial pain, the initial shock of it; obviously the situation, as well.

“Being under 2 minutes, I was doing anything I could to get up and get off the field, so we didn’t have to burn a timeout or get a 10-second runoff. I just couldn’t get up quick enough. All that matters is I’m good now. So, just go on from there.”

The beat-up Packers got more good news beyond Watson.

Cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was inactive for Sunday’s loss at the Broncos due to his troublesome back, was back on the practice field.

Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, who missed the last three games with an ankle injury sustained early in Week 3, returned to practice, as well.

So did defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, who aggravated a knee injury early in the second quarter at Denver and did not return.

All three players were limited participation. So was left guard Elgton Jenkins, who played through a knee injury at Denver.

However, center Josh Myers (ankle), safety Darnell Savage (calf), tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) and running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) did not practice.

“He’s just a little bit sore,” LaFleur said of Jones. “That’s to be expected. Hopefully we can ramp him up.”

Packers WR Christian Watson was full participation at practice on Wednesday.
Photo by Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports Images

For Musgrave, the injury is only an ankle and not a concussion. Broncos safety Kareem Jackson’s four-game suspension for the hit that injured Musgrave was cut to two games on appeal.

Savage, who aggravated a calf injury midway through the second quarter and did not return, is going on injured reserve to make room for the promotion of cornerback Corey Ballentine from the practice squad. With Savage out at least the next four games, Jonathan Owens will move into the starting lineup.

“I thought he stepped in and did a nice job. And we’re going to need that moving forward,” LaFleur said.

Also headed to injured reserve is cornerback Eric Stokes, whose 50-week comeback from a foot injury ended after four plays at Denver with a hamstring injury. Stokes battled issues with his right hamstring during training camp, but he said this injury was to his left hamstring.

“I’ve been practicing, been doing everything,” Stokes said. “For some reason, it just went. No sign. No warning. No nothing. Just boom.”

The Packers are hopeful he can return this season.

“As tough as it may be, he’s a great man, first and foremost,” LaFleur said. “He’s got a great personality, he’s a happy guy. I know he’s extremely disappointed and we’re disappointed for him. That’s a long road to recovery. It is disappointing but he’s got to do whatever he can and focus on the things he can control. He can still have an impact on this football team.”

While Savage and Stokes are losses, at least Alexander, Campbell and Wyatt were back on the practice field on defense.

“Great to have him back,” LaFleur said of Campbell. “He’s a leader on this football team, has been playing at a high level.”

Alexander missed two games with a back injury but returned to start against Las Vegas. However, after an excellent performance in that game and then a bye week, Alexander popped up on the injury report last week and was out against Denver.

“With any injury let alone a back, yeah, there’s always concern with it,” LaFleur said. “But, hopefully, he’s getting better and we’re hopeful that he’ll be available this Sunday.”

The Vikings played on Monday night so did not practice. If they would have, tight end T.J. Hockenson would have been sidelined with a foot injury.