Fantasy News: Christian Watson Avoids Major Injury, May Play vs. Vikings in Week 17

The Green Bay Packers clinched a playoff spot with a 34-0 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Monday and then received some encouraging news regarding the knee injury wide receiver Christian Watson suffered in the game.

"We got good news on him," head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters Tuesday while revealing Watson may play in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings. "It's more just a bruise."

The update comes after LaFleur expressed some worry after the game.

"There's some concern there, certainly," he said, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "We're going to get some more testing done tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll have an answer for you tomorrow."

As Demovsky noted, Watson suffered the injury when he got the ball on a running play in the second quarter and then returned for seven more snaps before leaving the game for good.

"It definitely hurt right away, but it felt like it was good enough to go back in, so I went back in and it was feeling all right," Watson said. "But it was just kind of lingering a little bit and I just couldn't play the type of football I wanted to play, so I just had to shut it down."

Watson had a quiet day and finished with two rushes for 23 yards and zero catches on one target.

There is something to be said for not pushing even a borderline injury and returning to a game that was well in hand. After all, the Packers jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the second quarter and were in full control throughout the game.

New Orleans didn't score a single point as Spencer Rattler threw for 153 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception while the visitors also averaged just 3.4 yards per carry.

Still, LaFleur initially mentioned there was some concern with Watson, which will make it a situation to monitor with just two games remaining in the regular season even after Tuesday's update. While the Packers will have to settle for an NFC wild-card spot, they are still just one game ahead of the Washington Commanders for the No. 6 seed.

Taking care of business in the upcoming games against the Vikings and Chicago Bears can put Green Bay in a position for a better seed and more favorable first-round playoff matchup.

If Watson is sidelined while his team is attempting to do just that, the offense still has the combination of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and Bo Melton at wide receiver and Tucker Kraft at tight end.

Throw in Josh Jacobs at running back, and there are plenty of weapons at quarterback Jordan Love's disposal even if Watson is sidelined.

Still, the offense is a more complete unit when he is healthy and on the field, making the status of his knee all the more important heading into the stretch run of the campaign.