The Green Bay Packers may be without one of their best receivers when they face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Fortunately, they’ll have another one ready in time for the competition.
Christian Watson has been labeled as questionable for the game due to a nagging hamstring strain. While he has not been officially ruled out, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network believes that he is unlikely to play.
Despite this, the Packers are likely to have Dontayvion Wicks ready despite his ankle injury. Wicks has been designated questionable, but it appears he’ll be able to recover in time for the Panthers game, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Watson’s absence is a significant setback for the Packers, especially given that the 24-year-old has been one of their finest receivers thus far. Watson has 28 receptions for 422 yards and five touchdowns in nine games this 2023 season, ranking third on the team.
Wicks, for one, is more than capable of handling some additional duty with Watson absent. While he has only one touchdown this season, he is third on the team in receiving yards with 491, trailing only Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs.
The Green Bay Packers will need everyone on the squad to be extra focused in Week 16 if they are to stay in the playoff hunt. With Christian Watson also out, the team’s ability to step up and stay sharp is more vital than ever.
The Green Bay Packers’ playoff hopes
While the Green Bay Packers are still in the running for a playoff spot, they are closer to being eliminated than making the playoffs.
The Packers, who are 6-8 on the season and third in the NFC North, will need to win their remaining games to have a chance. They do not, however, have entire influence over their fate. To make the playoffs, they will also need the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons to struggle and lose their remaining games.
As of now, the Packers sit 11th in the NFC Playoff picture, trailing the aforementioned clubs for the conference’s last Wild Card spot.
Christian Watson’s absence does not speak well for their playoff chances, but it just means that Dontayvion Wicks and their other wide receivers must pick up the slack in order to remain in playoff contention.
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