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Packers 1,653-Yard WR Opens Practice Window, Returns to Practice Today

 
   

Green Bay, WI – October 2, 2025

The Green Bay Packers received a major boost today as one of their most explosive offensive weapons is finally returning. The team officially opened his practice window, signaling the end of a long injury layoff.

The news arrives after months of uncertainty regarding his recovery timeline. Fans and coaches alike had been waiting for clarity, and the update delivers optimism at a crucial point in the regular season.

Christian Watson, the Packers’ dynamic wide receiver, tore his ACL in Week 18 last year. The injury ended his campaign abruptly and placed him on the physically unable to perform list entering this season.

NFL rules provide a 21-day practice window once activated. During this period, the Packers can evaluate Watson’s progress and decide whether to place him back on the 53-man active roster.

Watson was drafted in the second round in 2022 and has flashed big-play potential when healthy. Over 38 career games, he has tallied 98 receptions, 1,653 yards, and 14 touchdowns, becoming a key deep threat.

Unfortunately, his career has been interrupted frequently. Watson has already missed 17 games due to injuries, raising questions about his long-term durability despite his undeniable athleticism and game-changing ability on the field.

Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed the update earlier this week. “That’s been in discussion,” LaFleur said, emphasizing the team’s excitement at finally getting a look at Watson back in practice drills.

For a Green Bay offense searching for more explosive plays, Watson’s return could not be better timed. If he proves healthy, the 1,653-yard receiver might be the spark the Packers need to reenergize their season.

Packers trade for star WR with 5,647 career receiving yards to pair with Romeo Doubs ahead of the Bengals game
Green Bay, WI — Coming out of their Week 5 bye, the Green Bay Packers (2–1–1) have reportedly reached an agreement in principle to acquire Calvin Ridley, a veteran wide receiver with 5,647 career receiving yards, pending a routine medical before any official announcement. The move is designed to slot Ridley alongside Romeo Doubs and add immediate punch to the offense before Week 6 at the Cincinnati Bengals. The Packers have scored at a strong clip but have lacked a steady week-to-week WR1. Tucker Kraft currently leads the team in catches and yards, Jayden Reed remains on the return timeline, and rookie Matthew Golden is still developing. Ridley’s arrival—an accomplished route-runner who separates on intermediate and deep concepts (deep outs, comebacks, corners, and overs off play-action)—should let head coach Matt LaFleur widen the playbook, stress coverages, and open space for Doubs on the opposite boundary and for Kraft down the seam. Tactically, Ridley projects as the X receiver, a trusted option on 3rd-and-medium and a perimeter threat who can win outside the numbers. In the red zone, his gravity can free back-shoulder throws to Doubs or seam routes for Kraft. That makes the Week 6 trip to Cincinnati an instant barometer: if the Bengals roll coverage toward Ridley, Green Bay can unlock more RPO looks, the run game, and shot plays off play-action. From a procedural standpoint, this remains an agreement in principle: core terms are understood per sources, but everything becomes official only after Ridley completes his physical. Financially, the framework is expected to keep Green Bay’s cap flexibility intact for the stretch run; details of the compensation will be clarified upon successful completion of medicals.