Christian Watson was one of the players that fans of the Green Bay Packers were most excited to see during training camp. Unfortunately, they will have to wait a little while longer. How long? No one knows. Watson and the Packers decided that he should have surgery on his knee after he dealt with lingering soreness late in OTAs. After the second day of training camp, Watson discussed this decision with the media. Mike Clemens, who covers the Packers for various radio stations, Tweeted the following:
#Packers WR Christian Watson says it started during OTA's. Something he'd never felt before. Pain in his left knee whenever he made cuts. Consulted with doctors and his agent. Decided to go ahead with surgery in June. "It's getting better everyday. But I hate missing camp." pic.twitter.com/Mfkj29FpPB
— Mike Clemens (@MikeClemensNFL) July 29, 2022
What Christian Watson Had to Say About His Decision
Christian Watson’s knee injury was not something that required surgery right away. However, given the pain he was feeling, it would have hampered his production on the field and may have led to a more serious injury in the long run. After discussions with the Packers and his agent, they decided it would be best for his long-term success if he had surgery early.
Zach Kruse of Packers Wire detailed Watson’s exact words:
“It was something that started bothering me during OTAs,” Watson said Thursday. “Definitely a relief. It wasn’t anything major, really just something that, talking with my agent and the training staff, just something more beneficial to get taking care of, in the long term and the short term. I’m definitely feeling better and better each day.”
While the injury was not a major one, there is still no timetable for Watson’s return to the field. While this may be frustrating for fans, it is in both Watson’s and the Packers’ best interest for him to only take the field when healthy. David Bakhtiari tried to play in Week 18 before he was completely ready and is still on the PUP list. Healing is a process. Furthermore, despite some “fans” on social media calling Watson a wasted pick already, he would truly have been “wasted” if the Packers had mismanaged his injury. The surgery, while unfortunate, is clearly the best way forward for both parties.
Christian Watson Is Still Learning at Training Camp
As hard as it is for Watson to not be able to participate in practice, he is still doing all he can to make the most of his first training camp experience. Several media members shared the following videos on Twitter:
Even though #Packers WR Christian Watson isn’t practicing due to being listed on the PUP – he’s still out on the practice field walking through some drills with the guys and learning. pic.twitter.com/2TIRfoYJba
— Kyle Malzhan (@KyleMalzhan) July 27, 2022
Packers rookie Christian Watson on the PUP list (still unknown why) but he’s out there learning with the WRs. pic.twitter.com/cwnqB3ARkk
— Adriana Torres (@TorresAdrianaTV) July 27, 2022
#Packers rookie Christian Watson (PUP) observing the vets pic.twitter.com/OM75gCd567
— Nicole Menner (@NicoleMenner) July 27, 2022
To be certain, nothing can replace actually running plays in practice. However, as Allen Lazard detailed earlier this offseason, the key to earning the trust of Aaron Rodgers is “showing that you want it.” Now, the context in which Lazard said this was in reference to going up for 50-50 balls thrown a receiver’s way. However, the same idea applies here. Watson wants to be out there. He wants to learn. Everything he can do, he is doing. When he is able to practice again, he will be as ready as he possibly can be.
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