Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson suffered a torn ACL during the team’s regular season finale last Sunday. The team will not have their best deep threat for the playoffs and most likely for the start of the 2025 season as he rehabs from the injury. The Packers still need to have their offense play at a high level if they hope to beat the Philadelphia Eagles in their Wild Card playoff game this Sunday. Here are five Packers who need to step up with Christian Watson out for the playoffs.

Five Packers Who Need to Step Up with Christian Watson Out for the Playoffs, Number Five: Jordan Love

Obviously, with the team’s top deep threat unavailable, the quarterback will have to play better. Jordan Love will need to be more accurate and avoid costly turnovers. He will also need to find a substitute long ball threat to replace Watson.

Love will have to find the open receiver and find alternatives to Watson when he wants to take shots downfield. Without good quarterback play, the Packers won’t stand much of a chance in Philadelphia on Sunday.

Number Four: TE Luke Musgrave

While Tucker Kraft will continue to start at tight end, Luke Musgrave gives the Packers another player who can stretch the field and get deep.

Musgrave won’t be as dangerous a downfield target as Watson, but he could surprise a few defenders and set up some size/speed mismatches on Sunday.

Most likely, Musgrave will only play a third or so of the team’s offensive snaps. But that doesn’t mean he can’t have an impact when he is on the field.

Five Packers Who Need to Step Up with Christian Watson Out for the Playoffs, Number Three: WR Romeo Doubs

Romeo Doubs doesn’t provide the downfield threat that Watson or the other receivers on this list does, but he does give Love the most consistent short and medium-range target. Love and Doubs have great chemistry and have worked together well since Doubs entered the league.

Love will need to get Doubs involved early and often. Expect Doubs to get the ball on key third-down plays and in the red zone. Doubs tends to be Love’s security blanket, and he will assume a larger role in the offense in Watson’s absence.

Number Two: WR Dontayvion Wicks

Dontayvion Wicks possesses the speed to get deep. His big issue this season has been with dropped passes. Wicks improved in that area in recent weeks and had a stronger finish to the season.

Wicks also gives the Packers a player with the potential to beat man coverage, something that was one of Watson’s biggest strengths.

The Virginia alum will take on a bigger role with Watson out of the lineup. He may be the wild card here. If he comes through and steps up his game, he could impact the offense more than any player on this list. The question is whether he can consistently get that job done.

Five Packers Who Need to Step Up with Christian Watson Out for the Playoffs, Number One: WR Jayden Reed

Jayden Reed started the season on fire and looked like he was going to be the team’s breakout receiver in 2024. In the first nine games of the season, Reed gained more than 100 yards receiving three times. He caught 36 passes for 620 yards and three touchdowns in those nine games. His production dropped in the second half of the season. Reed caught just 19 passes in the final eight games for 237 yards and three more scores.

Reed also struggled with dropped passes at inopportune times. Head coach Matt LaFleur didn’t scheme him open as often in the second half of the season. He also ran fewer deep patterns, something he did often early in the 2024 campaign.

Reed had a strong game in the season opener against the Eagles, catching four passes for 138 yards and a touchdown and running 33 yards for another score.
The Packers offense will get a major boost if Reed can regain his early-season form and have another strong game against the Eagles.

 

Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers

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