Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson suffered a high ankle sprain in the Packers 31-29 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. That means Watson is likely to miss at least a few games depending on the severity of the injury. So, how will the Packers offense adjust to the loss of their top deep threat? Here are five ways things will change for the Packers offense with Watson out of the lineup:

Five Ways Things Change for the Packers Offense without Christian Watson, Number Five: More Targets for Bo Melton and Malik Heath

The Packers receiving depth will be tested without Watson in the lineup. Naturally, it will mean more reps for both Bo Melton and Malik Heath who entered the season as the fifth and sixth receivers on the depth chart.

Through the first three games, Melton did not have a target and was on the field for a total of 41 offensive plays. He had three targets after Watson was injured and made his first catch of the season.

Heath was inactive for one game and played only 11 snaps total in the other two. He was not targeted at all in the first three games of the year. Against the Vikings after Watson left the game, he caught two passes on two targets for 12 yards.

The old expression in the NFL is “next man up,” and Melton and Heath will get some more opportunities with Watson out of the lineup.

Number Four: We’ll See More of TE Luke Musgrave

One of the things Watson does best is stretch the field with his deep speed. Without him in the lineup, the Packers will need to look for other ways to accomplish this.

Tight end Luke Musgrave has the ability to get deep down the seams of the defense. This is a rare quality for tight ends to have.

Early this season, Musgrave has received fewer snaps than Tucker Kraft. We should see more of Musgrave while Watson is out of the lineup as the Packers look for more ways to stretch the field, complete deep passes and open up time and space for other receivers.

Five Ways Things Change for the Packers Offense without Christian Watson, Number Three: More Scheming Receivers Open

Head coach Matt LaFleur remains one of the best play callers in the league when it comes to scheming receivers open. With Watson out of the lineup, LaFleur will have to find some different ways to accomplish that.

LaFleur needs to clear out space and make safeties move without his best deep threat. It will be interesting to see the different approaches he takes to do this in the coming weeks.

Number Two: Jayden Reed Becomes the Number One Receiver

Jayden Reed led the Packers in catches and yards last season despite playing just 56 percent of the team’s offensive snaps and missing one game.

This year, he already has two 100-plus yard games and leads the Packers with 17 catches on 22 targets for 336 yards and two scores. He has also run for 91 yards and a touchdown on six carries.

Reed typically lines up in the slot, but he can play on the perimeter as well. He is the Packers most consistent receiver thus far this season. The former Michigan State star continues to make big plays whenever he’s given the opportunity.

With Watson out of the lineup, Reed is likely to get more targets and be an even bigger part of the Packers offense. He continues to develop into a dangerous threat who the team can rely on.

Five Ways Things Change for the Packers Offense without Christian Watson, Number One: Dontayvion Wicks Becomes the Top Deep Threat

While Musgrave will likely get some more chances to stretch defenses by going deep, the Packers will also look for a wide receiver who can fill that role. The next man up, much like last season, will be Dontayvion Wicks.

Wicks made some big plays against the Vikings, but he also dropped too many catchable passes. He’s tied for the team lead with Reed with 22 targets, but he has just eight catches compared to 17 for Reed.

Last season, Wicks stepped up in the second half of the season when Watson was out with injuries. Now he will get that chance again. The Packers have to hope Wicks steps up and becomes more consistent than he has been during his rough start to the 2024 season.

 

 

 

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