Naturally, for a player who has been as injury-prone as Packers receiver Christian Watson in his career, especially as he comes off the most serious injury he’s had as an NFL player–an ACL tear in January–there is going to be concern raised when his name crops up on the injury report. And Watson, after Week 10’s team-wide dud against the Eagles on Monday, was indeed on the injury report on Thursday, ahead of the Packers’ next game against the Giants.
Watson was listed as “limited” this week, with injuries to his knee and hamstring, which has pretty much been the story of his career to this point. But, he explained after practice, he’s not actually injured.
“I wouldn’t classify it an injury because I didn’t get injured. It wasn’t during the game, just feeling sore,” he said.
Watson explained that Packers coaches are just seeking to be careful with him.
“I mean, they gotta do what they gotta do,” said Watson, who had two catches for 45 yards on Monday. “I definitely, if it were up to me, I am not injured, so I mean, they just gotta do what they gotta do. I am good. I have no worries in terms of where I am gonna be at for Sunday. Just precautions, I guess for them.
“I am just sore. I am still in kind of the ramp-up phase, coming back from the ACL. So, I am just sore. Got a decent amount of snaps in the game and everything. Enough to be smarter about the rep count in practice but I mean, I feel fine, confident about it.”
The Packers had only one player miss practice in full on Thursday, and that was cornerback Nate Hobbs.
The full list of limited participants was, in addition to Watson: Kingsley Enagbare (knee), Matthew Golden (shoulder), Micah Parsons (pec), Zach Tom (back), Lukas Van Ness (foot), Dontayvion Wicks (calf) and Savion Williams (foot).
Stacy Revere/GettyLukas Van Ness #90 of the Green Bay Packers
Getting Van Ness back will add some firepower to the Packers defense, as he has been out since Week 5, against the Bengals. Van Ness had 1.5 sacks when he went out, and three tackles for a loss.
Coach Matt LaFleur addressed his return before practice.
“I just think he’s a really good player. So, you always want good players out there on the field,” LaFleur said. “His versatility is something I think could give players a boost.”
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is facing significant backlash after a recent decision made by Shedeur Sanders, the standout quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes. Sanders, who has been at the center of much attention due to his play on the field and leadership off it, made a controversial move that has drawn criticism, with many now turning their frustration towards Stefanski and his handling of the situation.
While details surrounding Sanders’ decision remain somewhat unclear, it is believed to be related to a specific football-related matter that affected his future with the Buffaloes. Stefanski, who has been in the spotlight due to his own team’s struggles this season, found himself caught in the crossfire of criticism from both fans and analysts.
“Questions of Leadership and Decision-Making”
As news broke about Sanders’ decision, many felt that Stefanski’s response—or lack thereof—was a key part of why the situation escalated. Some pundits have raised questions about the coaching staff’s approach to handling high-profile players and managing delicate situations.
“There’s a lot of pressure on Shedeur, and it’s clear that Stefanski, despite his own challenges with the Browns, has to address these situations with more sensitivity,” said one league analyst. “The backlash against Stefanski is coming not only from Sanders’ decision but from the optics of how it’s being handled. Leadership is about navigating these situations well, and Stefanski hasn’t done that.”
Stefanski, whose tenure with the Browns has faced criticism due to the team’s inconsistency, was already under intense scrutiny following a difficult season. This latest controversy involving Sanders has only added fuel to the fire.
“Managing High-Profile Situations”
While Stefanski has remained tight-lipped regarding specific details about Sanders’ decision, he did comment on the broader issue of managing high-profile players within a team. “It’s always important to support our players and give them the right guidance,” Stefanski said. “We understand that there are tough decisions, and we have to be there for them, no matter what. But ultimately, the decisions belong to them.”
However, some feel that Stefanski’s lack of direct involvement in the matter has led to a lack of clarity for both Sanders and the public. “The way this has played out, it feels like there’s a disconnect between leadership and the players,” said one Browns fan. “Stefanski needs to step up and address these things head-on if he wants to regain the trust of his team and the fans.”
“A Turning Point for Stefanski?”
As the Browns’ playoff hopes continue to dwindle and the team faces an uncertain future, this latest controversy surrounding Sanders has further complicated Stefanski’s position. Fans are divided, with some blaming the coach for not intervening sooner while others argue that Sanders should be responsible for his own decisions.
The situation with Sanders has become a hot topic in sports media, with many suggesting that how Stefanski handles this moment could determine his future with the Browns. “This is a critical juncture for Stefanski,” said a team insider. “If he doesn’t manage this situation well, it could impact his standing with the Browns and his ability to lead the team going forward.”
“Looking Ahead”
While the drama continues to unfold, all eyes are now on Stefanski and how he chooses to address the situation in the coming days. Whether he takes a more proactive approach in supporting Sanders and managing internal issues remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the decision could have lasting consequences, not only for Sanders’ future but for Stefanski’s as well.
As the season progresses, Stefanski faces mounting pressure to not only fix the Browns’ on-field issues but also regain the trust of his players, fans, and the media after a series of missteps in dealing with off-field controversies.