Packers’ Christian Watson Explains Surprise Week 11 Injury Update

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 10: Christian Watson #9 of the Green Bay Packers walks off the field after being defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at Lambeau Field on November 10, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Naturally, for a player who has been as injury-prone as Packers receiver Christian Watson in his career, especially as he comes off the most serious injury he’s had as an NFL player–an ACL tear in January–there is going to be concern raised when his name crops up on the injury report. And Watson, after Week 10’s team-wide dud against the Eagles on Monday, was indeed on the injury report on Thursday, ahead of the Packers’ next game against the Giants.

Watson was listed as “limited” this week, with injuries to his knee and hamstring, which has pretty much been the story of his career to this point. But, he explained after practice, he’s not actually injured.

“I wouldn’t classify it an injury because I didn’t get injured. It wasn’t during the game, just feeling sore,” he said.

Christian Watson: ‘They Gotta Do What They Gotta Do’

Watson explained that Packers coaches are just seeking to be careful with him.

“I mean, they gotta do what they gotta do,” said Watson, who had two catches for 45 yards on Monday. “I definitely, if it were up to me, I am not injured, so I mean, they just gotta do what they gotta do. I am good. I have no worries in terms of where I am gonna be at for Sunday. Just precautions, I guess for them.

“I am just sore. I am still in kind of the ramp-up phase, coming back from the ACL. So, I am just sore. Got a decent amount of snaps in the game and everything. Enough to be smarter about the rep count in practice but I mean, I feel fine, confident about it.”

Christian Watson 1 of Many Limited Packers

The Packers had only one player miss practice in full on Thursday, and that was cornerback Nate Hobbs.

The full list of limited participants was, in addition to Watson: Kingsley Enagbare (knee), Matthew Golden (shoulder), Micah Parsons (pec), Zach Tom (back), Lukas Van Ness (foot), Dontayvion Wicks (calf) and Savion Williams (foot).

Packers Getting Van Ness Back

Getting Van Ness back will add some firepower to the Packers defense, as he has been out since Week 5, against the Bengals. Van Ness had 1.5 sacks when he went out, and three tackles for a loss.

Coach Matt LaFleur addressed his return before practice.

“I just think he’s a really good player. So, you always want good players out there on the field,” LaFleur said. “His versatility is something I think could give players a boost.”

Buccaneers Sign 6-Foot-4 Pass Rusher Before Week 11

There was news of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers signing at edge rusher ahead of the Week 11 matchup with the Buffalo Bills.

Tampa Bay Times beat reporter Rick Stroud reported on the defensive flyer, informing: “Bucs add LB Benton Whitley to the practice squad.”

This roster move was also confirmed by the Buccaneers’ Communications department on X.

Benton Whitley Signing Adds New Rotational Option for Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles

The Buccaneers rank tied for sixth in the NFL in sacks, but it’s not really due to any one player having a career year. More than anything else, credit goes to head coach Todd Bowles and his ability to create pressure utilizing different positions and players.

Whitley adds another potential rotational cog to the mix, although he’ll start out on the practice squad, as Stroud mentioned.

The 6-foot-4 Whitley has bounced around the league a bit after playing his college ball at Holy Cross. He accumulated 15.5 sacks in 43 appearances at Holy Cross.

Despite this, Whitley’s first career NFL sack has eluded him to this point.

Whitley started out his professional career with the Los Angeles Rams, but has also spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, and Arizona Cardinals.

The edge rusher registered 2.5 preseason sacks with the Giants in 2024. In 6 regular season appearances with Minnesota and New York, Whitley logged 74 combined special teams snaps and 16 defensive snaps. His only recorded statistics are 1 fumble recovery and 1 pass breakup.

Now, Bowles and the Buccaneers will give Whitley a look ahead of the Week 11 matchup with the Bills.

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