GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers could have receiver Christian Watson for Sunday’s game against the Vikings even after he left Monday night’s win over the Saints because of a knee injury.
Tests Tuesday showed no structural damage to his left knee.
“We got good news on him,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “So [it was] more just a bruise. It was when the guy fell on him on the sideline.”
Asked whether Watson could play against the Vikings, LaFleur said: “Potentially.”
“You still gotta be able to function,” LaFleur said. “So, we’ll see how he practices this week and see where we’re at.”
Watson’s injury occurred at the end of a 14-yard end-around run in the second quarter of the 34-0 victory. Saints defensive backs Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry landed on Watson as he went out of bounds on the Packers’ sideline. Watson received brief medical attention and missed the remainder of that drive but returned on the next possession. He played seven more plays after the injury, including four in the third quarter, before he was done for the night.
“I went back in, and it was feeling all right,” Watson said after the game. “But it was just kind of lingering a little bit and I just couldn’t play the type of football I wanted to play, so I just had to shut it down.”
Watson ranks just sixth on the team with 29 catches but is second in receiving yards with 620 and has an eye-popping 21.4-yard average per reception.
The Packers are dealing with a few other injuries this week, mostly in the secondary. Safety Evan Williams sustained a quad injury in practice Saturday and was a late scratch against the Saints.
“We’ll hopefully get him back,” LaFleur said of Williams. “Hopefully in time for the playoffs.”
Zayne Anderson, primarily a special teams player, started in Williams’ place and recorded his first career interception. Cornerback Jaire Alexander missed his fifth straight game because of a lingering knee injury, and nickel defensive back Javon Bullard was out for his second straight game because of an ankle injury.
Linebacker Quay Walker also did not play against the Saints because of an ankle injury he sustained the previous week against the Seahawks.
The Packers’ first practice of the week will be Wednesday afternoon. LaFleur said he plans to give the players the morning off to spend some time with their families on Christmas, but then it is back to work.
“You’d love to give them the day off,” LaFleur said. “I don’t think that’s possible in this situation. You’ve got a six-day workweek, you’re going on the road to Minnesota. … It’s the National Football League and you’ve got to get ready for the next opponent.”
The Packers (11-4) clinched a playoff spot with Monday’s win. They can’t win the NFC North but Sunday’s game against the Vikings (13-2) can still impact the NFC playoff seedings.
“It’s going to be a great challenge for us and one that, quite frankly, I think we need because we’re going to be going on the road in the playoffs,” LaFleur said. “This is going to be a playoff atmosphere and a playoff game.”
