Packers Receiver Christian Watson Hospitalized Then Returns to Field After Chest Injury

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson was taken to a local hospital for precautionary testing after sustaining a chest injury during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers. The injury occurred on a 53-yard catch from Jordan Love midway through the second quarter. Panthers cornerback Will Lee fell on Watson at the end of the play, and both players were shaken up.

Watson stayed on the turf for a couple of minutes before walking to the blue medical tent. After a few minutes inside the tent, he walked to the locker room and then into the back of an ambulance. He was transported to a hospital near Lambeau Field.

“It definitely motivates me to keep going.”

Less than an hour after the injury, Watson returned to Lambeau Field in the ambulance. Cameras caught him running out of the tunnel in full pads to a loud reception from the home crowd. He then returned to the game.

Before the injury, Watson had six catches for 100 yards in the first half. He entered the game tied for 17th in the league with 34 receptions but seventh with 595 yards. He also ranked second with 17.5 yards per catch and tied for second with six touchdowns.

Watson had played 17 games since the ACL injury that ended his 2024 season. During that span, he caught 69 passes for 1,206 yards and 12 touchdowns. He said recently that his fast start motivates him to keep going.

The same thing happened at Denver last season, and he played the next week. Watson was taken to the hospital for precautionary checks while Lee was deemed doubtful to return to the game himself.