GREEN BAY – Packers receiver Christian Watson is grateful his new contract extension relieves some stress as he returns from his knee injury, but he's still determined to get back on the field as soon as he can.
Watson spoke to reporters after Monday's practice to discuss his new deal and update his ACL rehab.
The extension, which was in the works for much of the offseason, keeps him under contract with the Packers through next year, rather than having his rookie deal expire after this season upon returning from major surgery.
Financially and career-wise, that's a load off his mind.
"It was really just to take that pressure off myself, so I can go out there when I get back and just play free," he said. "It's definitely a blessing. It means a lot to me, and I'm glad we were able to get it done.
"I feel like I knew how appreciated I was in the building just from being in the building every day."
All signs remain positive with his comeback as well. Watson injured his knee in the regular-season finale last January but has recovered and rehabbed at a fast pace.
Having missed all of the offseason program and training camp, as expected, he began the regular season on the physically unable to perform list (PUP), which requires him to miss the first four games before being eligible to return to practice.
With the Packers having a bye in Week 5, his first potential practice would most likely be in Week 6, though there's no guarantee he'll be cleared by the medical staff to return then.
To hear Watson tell it, he's done everything there is to do in his recovery except participate in practice, so he sounded hopeful he'll be back after the bye.
"I feel like if it was the NFC Championship Game tomorrow, I would be able to go out there and feel confident for sure," he said. "But I mean, at the end of the day, I gotta be as smart as I can with it and not let it be a long-term thing. Nine months is long enough, so I wanna get the nine months out the way and come back and be 100% Christian Watson and go out there and not have to worry about it anymore.
"I'm already chomping at the bit, but I've gotta listen to both shoulders."
Watson's absence from the receiving corps has now been compounded by Jayden Reed's broken collarbone, which will keep Reed out for an extended time.
That leaves Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and Malik Heath as the unit's veterans, plus rookies Matthew Golden and Savion Williams. Veteran Mecole Hardman is on the practice squad as well.
Watson believes the receiver room is "fully equipped" to get the job done until he and Reed return. He has spoken to Reed since getting hurt in Thursday night's game and said the third-year pro is his usual upbeat, positive self despite the long-term injury.
"He's going to be ready to go and cheering everybody on right next to me until we're both able to get back out there," Watson said.
That might not be too long anymore in Watson's case, but it has certainly been a long road since January.
"It definitely gave me, I don't want to say a different mentality, because I feel like I've always attacked everything … but it definitely gave me a different perspective," Watson said.
"Just being out this long and having to go at something this mentally and physically tough, it's definitely given me a different appreciation for everything. I'm just super-excited to get back out there."
