Packers Injury Updates: Christian Watson Optimistic; Kareem Jackson Suspended
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers receiver Christian Watson said he’s doing “all right” following the knee injury sustained during the final drive of Sunday’s loss at the Denver Broncos.
“Everything looked good on the scans and whatnot,” Watson said on Monday. “Obviously, I’m just trying to get the initial pain and stuff out of there and I think I’ll be good to go.”
With the Packers facing a second-and-20 during the final moments, Watson got open over the middle. Quarterback Jordan Love threw a tick late and a touch behind Watson. Watson hit the brakes in hopes of making a play on the ball.
“My foot got stuck in the ground and got rolled up on it kind of weird,” he said.
Watson hobbled off the field and collapsed on the sideline. On the next play, Love threw the game-sealing interception.
Watson was one of several injuries sustained during the game.
- On the second play of the fourth quarter, standout rookie tight end Luke Musgrave made a leaping catch for 18 yards in which he was smoked by safety Kareem Jackson.
Jackson, who had been fined four times for illegal hits already this season, was ejected for the second time this year for delivering a blow to the head.
Musgrave fell awkwardly to the turf, his ankle twisting beneath him. It was the ankle rather than a head injury that ended his day after catching a team-high four passes for 30 yards.
On Monday, the league suspended Jackson for four games. The punishment was dispensed by Jon Runyan Sr., the father of Packers guard Jon Runyan Jr.
“On the play in question, you delivered a forceful blow to the head/neck area of a defenseless receiver, when you had the time and space to avoid such contact,” Runyan wrote in a letter to Jackson. “You could have made contact with your opponent within the rules, yet you chose not to.”
With cornerback Jaire Alexander and linebacker De’Vondre Campbell inactive due to back and ankle injuries, respectively, three players had their days end prematurely after aggravating injuries.
Packers S Darnell Savage aggravated a half injury at Denver.
Photo by Ron Chenoy/USA Today Sports Images
- Cornerback Eric Stokes, playing his first game in about 50 weeks following last year’s season-ending foot injury, injured a hamstring on his fourth snap of special teams. Stokes’ return to action was delayed due to hamstring issues he battled during his rehab workouts in training camp.
- Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, who was questionable on the injury report with a knee injury, aggravated the injury while engaged with a blocker early in the second quarter. He was in on two tackles in 10 snaps.
- Safety Darnell Savage, who was questionable with a calf injury sustained two weeks ago at Las Vegas, pulled up far from the action after aggravating the injury midway through the second quarter. He made one tackle in 30 snaps.
Coach Matt LaFleur didn’t have any updates to offer on Monday, though ESPN.com reported Savage could wind up on injured reserve, where he'd miss at least four games.
With three players exiting with aggravated injuries, is LaFleur concerned about the training staff’s return-to-play process?
“I think anytime we have people who reaggravate something, you’re always concerned about it,” LaFleur said. “But I think you’ve got to look at it case by case. Every case is a little bit different. I know these guys have been pushing to play. We’ve always got to make sure we’re making the best decision for them if there is something that’s reaggravated.”
More Green Bay Packers News
Packers waste another strong day by defense
Comparing Rodgers to Love through six starts
