Dontayvion Wicks

This makes sense given how late in the season the injury occurred. It's likely that Watson starts the year on the PUP list and, depending on how his recovery is going, eventually gets a 21-day window opened for his return in the first or second month of the season. Asked if the Packers were going to pursue another wideout in Watson's absence, GM Brian Gutekunst said "[If] that makes some sense for us, we'll certainly look to do that, but we're also looking for these guys to continue to grow and hopefully grow into that space." It seems more likely that the Packers will continue with Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed as their main receivers while giving Dontayvion Wicks another shot outside based on that quote.

Wicks also drew a 24-yard pass interference penalty in the third quarter, but was most notably the receiver targeted on Jordan Love's first interception. Darius Slay did a better job of running Wicks' route than Wicks did. Wicks finished the year third amongst Packers receivers in snaps, but mainly owes that to the fact that Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson dealt with injuries or maladies that forced a healthy Wicks into the lineup. After exploding on to the scene in Week 4 with a 5/78/2 line on 13 targets, Wicks did not go over 49 yards again for the rest of the season and peaked at seven targets. He likely starts the 2025 offseason, the third year on his four-year rookie deal, as a starter for the Packers due to Watson's ACL injury. But nothing we've seen from Wicks so far would lead us to believe the Packers have developed a star-in-the-making, and if the Packers target a receiver in the draft to be a long-term Romeo Doubs replacement, that receiver would likely come for Wicks' snaps first. It's makes for a precarious standing entering the offseason for Wicks, but there's a possibility we'll be touting him as a sleeper pick in August if Green Bay runs it back as constructed.

Reed appeared to suffer the injury while being tackled in the third quarter, he walked off to the locker room with trainers under his own power. Bo Melton, Malik Heath, Dontayvion Wicks, and Randall Cobb (okay, we made that last one up) will try to help the Packers complete a comeback against the Eagles if Reed can't return. Reed led the team with four catches for 46 yards on his only four targets before leaving.

"It's not good," LaFleur said when asked about Watson's injury on Monday. While we still don't know the full severity of Watson's injury, we do know that initial tests confirmed a torn ACL, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported earlier in the day that Watson is believed to have "suffered additional damage" beyond that. It sounds like Watson will be on a long road to recover in time for the start of the 2025 season. His absence in the postseason will likely lead to more opportunities for both Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks on Sunday against the Eagles in the NFC Wild Card round.

Readiness for 2025 season in doubt after Week 18 injury Sources: #Packers standout WR Christian Watson is believed to have torn his ACL and suffered additional damage, ending his season and putting the beginning of 2025 in jeopardy. (NFL Network - Ian Rapoport) FF Today's Take: Watson seemingly figured out the source of his persistent hamstring issues this offseason, but he will go into this offseason trying to recover from something much more serious. An ACL tear this late in the season means Watson will be lucky to be ready to play before midseason next year and it is likely he will not recapture his previous form until 2026. The Packers cannot replace Watson's field-stretch abilities, but they are deep at receiver and figure to move forward into next season relying on Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks.