Packers WR Christian Watson avoids serious injury

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson avoided a serious knee injury in Monday night’s playoff-clinching win against the New Orleans Saints.

Watson was injured in the second quarter of the 34-0 victory at Lambeau Field after being tackled at the end of a 14-yard run. He returned to play seven more snaps before exiting the game for good.

“We got good news on him,” coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday. “It’s more just a bruise. It’s when the guy fell on him on the sideline. Still gotta be able to function. We’ll see how he practices this week and see where we’re at.”

Watson, 25, rushed twice for 23 yards but did not catch a pass on Monday. The 2022 second-round draft pick has 29 receptions for 620 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games this season.

The Packers (11-4) close out the regular season with two NFC North division contests, visiting the Minnesota Vikings (13-2) on Sunday and finishing at home against the Chicago Bears (4-11) in Week 18.