While Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson seems to be ahead of schedule in his recovery from last season’s ACL tear, the team is remaining cautious with such a significant injury.
Watson isn’t yet cleared for individual or team activities but has done some running out on the practice field at training camp. By the looks of it, he could be ready sooner than the previously targeted midpoint of the 2025 season, though the team isn’t rushing a young player with a promising career ahead.
“It’s tough because when you see him run, you want to throw him out there right now,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said half-jokingly Tuesday. “But there’s kind of a timeline with these ACLs. He’s ahead of the curve, no doubt about it, but at the same time, he’s got a long career in front of him, so we’re going to make sure we don’t skip any steps along the way.”
Watson suffered the injury in last season’s season finale against the Chicago Bears on January 5— just over seven months ago. Most NFL players return to game action 9–12 months after an ACL tear. If Watson remains ahead of schedule, the season opener on September 7 would mark eight months post-injury.
Running back Adrian Peterson famously returned from an ACL tear in eight months in 2012, rushing for 2,097 yards and winning the NFL MVP honors.
Watson fits the “freak athlete” mold, but Gutekunst emphasized caution at the start of training camp, noting it’s Watson’s second ACL tear.
“He’s a freak, he did a run test the other day and looks great,” Gutekunst said July 23. “Again, it’s an ACL, and it’s his second one, so we’re going to take our time with it.”
Watson, 26, is scheduled to be a free agent next offseason and has yet to play a full 17-game season. When healthy, his rare combination of size and speed can be a game-changer for Green Bay’s offense, so neither the team nor Watson can afford to rush his return and risk a setback.
Currently, Watson is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and will likely remain there at the start of the regular season. That means Watson will have to miss at least the first four games, at which time, the team can reevaluate. Gutekunst is already expecting Watson to be pushing to play.
“More than likely, he’ll start the year on PUP, but after that fourth game, I’m sure he’s going to be chomping at the bit,” said Gutekunst. “It’s going to take a lot of us to hold him back.”
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers trying to remain patient despite Christian Watson’s impressive ACL recovery
Reporting by Brandon Carwile, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
