Packers QB Jordan Love receives significant injury update on one of his key weapons ahead of next NFL season

Jordan Love is one of several quarterbacks in the NFL who, for several reasons, has yet to reach the highly coveted Super Bowl. Still, both he and his Green Bay Packers teammates believe this could be the year—and for that to happen, they’ll need the majority of their key players healthy and at full strength.

Christian Watson emerged as one of Love’s top targets last season in Wisconsin, but unfortunately for the wide receiver, a tough injury in Week 18 against the Bears sidelined him for several months—leaving his return timeline still uncertain.

Coming back from a torn ACL is no easy task, but the former North Dakota State standout said his recovery is progressing well. While there’s still no official timeline for his return to game action, he expressed happiness at being able to spend time around his teammates once again.

“Definitely happy to be back,” Watson stated via Ellie French of Fox 11. “Being around the guys, it’s always a little different when you’re around the team. A little bit more life to the party. But recovery’s going really well, I’m in a really, really good spot. Just keeping the mentality there. Just working. I’ve got a couple more months ahead of me, but I’m attacking it every day. I’m in a really good spot.”

Christian Watson #9 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after a first down against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 15, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.

While Matt LaFleur still doesn’t have a clear answer on whether Watson will be available for Week 1, the selection of Matthew Golden in the recent NFL Draft provides some reassurance that the wide receiver position will be in good hands for the Packers.

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Golden begins his journey with the Packers

The Packers used their first-round pick in the latest draft to secure the services of talented former Texas Longhorns standout Matthew Golden. The wide receiver is already embracing his entry into the NFL and, as a first step, spoke about his choice of jersey number.

During his time in College Football under the guidance of Steve Sarkisian, Golden wore the number 2 on his jersey. However, moving forward, he has chosen to honor his grandmother, and will now wear number 22 on both his chest and back, in the Packers‘ signature green and yellow colors.

“My grandma, her favorite number was two growing up, and she told me she wanted me to represent that number,” Golden said in a press conference. “I knew the last receiver that was drafted [by the Packers in the first round] was 2002, so I feel like it kinda just made sense to me.”