Jordan Love made his return from injury in Week 4, but the Green Bay Packers might now be without one of their top wide receivers for several weeks.

Christian Watson sustained an ankle injury during the Packers’ loss to the Minnesota Vikings. After being carted off the field, he was unable to re-enter the game.

There are concerns Watson could be out for a while. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that Watson is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain, with further tests scheduled for Monday to confirm the diagnosis.

The extent of the injury will determine how long Watson will be sidelined, but it appears likely the Packers will be missing their star receiver for some time. It’s another unfortunate setback for Watson, who had worked hard in the offseason to overcome recurring hamstring issues, only to now face this new injury, which seems to be a stroke of bad luck.

Packers need other receivers to step up if Christian Watson misses time

Following Christian Watson’s injury, Jordan Love turned to Dontayvion Wicks, who showcased his star potential despite some early struggles with drops. Wicks, who has had issues with drops throughout the season, had several on Sunday, including a dropped touchdown pass that hit him square in the chest.

However, Wicks rebounded, finishing the game with five catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns on 13 targets. While the Packers would have hoped for an even bigger day, his late-game performance could build momentum heading into the next week.

With Watson sidelined, Wicks is likely to see an increase in snaps alongside Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs. Wicks made crucial plays for Green Bay last season, and the team will need him to continue stepping up if Watson is out for an extended period.

The Packers have solid depth at wide receiver, but Watson’s presence is hard to replace. He’s a player who draws defenders, excels at blocking, and can change the course of a game with a single catch. As they await Watson’s return, Green Bay will be counting on their other young receivers to rise to the occasion.

Latest Christian Watson injury updates after leaving Week 4 vs. Vikings

The opening quarter of the Green Bay Packers’ home game against the Minnesota Vikings was a disaster. Along with penalties, dropped passes, and turnovers, the Packers also lost star wide receiver Christian Watson to injury.

Sources: The early belief is #Packers WR Christian Watson suffered a high-ankle sprain during today’s game vs the #Vikings.

Watson will have more tests on Monday to get more clarity on the injury, which resulted in him getting carted off today. pic.twitter.com/hg3ftB0m0a

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 30, 2024

Watson sustained what appeared to be a serious leg injury while trying to make a play on Jordan Love’s first-quarter interception. He was quickly taken to the blue medical tent for evaluation.

With the Packers falling behind early in this important divisional game, attention has shifted to Watson’s condition. As a crucial part of Matt LaFleur’s offense, losing Watson for any significant time would be a major blow to the team.

Latest injury update on Packers WR Christian Watson in Week 4 vs. Vikings

This is tough news for the Packers. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the “early belief” is that Christian Watson has suffered a high-ankle sprain, though there’s no exact timetable for his return. It’s highly likely Watson will miss time. The Packers have already ruled him out for the rest of the game after he injured his ankle on Jordan Love’s interception. His leg appeared to get caught in the turf, and he was in obvious pain before heading to the locker room—a major concern for Green Bay.

While there’s some relief that it doesn’t appear to be a serious knee injury, which was the immediate fear, the injury still looks concerning. Watson’s absence will be felt, as his speed and athleticism force defenses to account for him on every play. He’s also the team’s top blocking receiver, a critical aspect of the Packers’ offense, especially during their two wins with Malik Willis filling in for Love. Watson’s selfless play style is invaluable—he doesn’t care about his stats, just about helping the team win.

#Packers WR Christian Watson (ankle) officially ruled out for the game.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 29, 2024

Despite only recording five catches for 80 yards and a touchdown this season, Watson’s impact has gone far beyond the stat sheet. He played a key role in Green Bay’s run-heavy game plan while Love was out, delivering crucial blocks and doing the little things that make the offense work.

As one of Green Bay’s most important offensive pieces, Watson’s big-play potential and team-first mentality are hard to replace. Hopefully, the Packers will get some positive news about his recovery soon.