Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson was taken to a hospital by ambulance during Thursday night's game against the Carolina Panthers, then returned to the field and caught two more passes in a 27-19 Packers win.
He finished with eight catches for 113 yards on October 29, 2026, at Lambeau Field. Reports differ on the nature of his injury, but ESPN reported that he was coughing up blood and was later described as playing with a broken rib.
The incident occurred early in the second quarter. With 9:11 left before halftime, Jordan Love threw a deep pass to Watson, who made a 53-yard catch.
Panthers defender Will Lee III fell on top of him during the tackle. Watson was slow to get up, held his side and went into the blue medical tent. He was able to walk to the locker room on his own.
The Packers listed him as questionable to return with a chest injury, then were seen taking him to a local hospital as a precaution. At that point, the broadcast suggested he would not be back. Watson had six catches for 100 yards before leaving the game.
ESPN reported that Watson did not know which hospital the ambulance took him to, but he estimated that the entire trip lasted about an hour. He underwent an X-ray and a CT scan.
According to ESPN, he was coughing up blood during the episode, which made the precaution more serious than a routine bruise, though the cause was not detailed in the reports I found.
Television cameras later showed Watson jogging out of the tunnel and joining the team on the sideline. Fans cheered when he returned, and he re-entered the game in the third quarter.
After he came back, Watson caught two more passes to finish with eight receptions for 113 yards, according to NBC Sports. He also lost a fumble earlier in the game when Panthers safety Nick Scott punched the ball out of his grasp and linebacker Bobby Okereke recovered it, but he helped the Packers finish the win.
Watson said afterward that it was super dramatic. Packers safety Xavier McKinney called his return incredible.
Watson’s campaign is amid what has been termed the breakout season. Fox Sports mentioned him as finally healthy and having played a very good game and is now among Love's most difficult challenges. Notable achievements in the season are:
- Week 5 against the Bears: Two deep touchdown passes in a 31-7 victory on October 11, a game that has been dubbed a pivotal one in the rivalry match.
- Week 7 at Detroit: He participated in the game despite being hampered by ankle pain that wasn’t an injury designation.
- Week 8 against the Panthers: A 53-yard reception and 113-yard display.
- The Packers.com also mentioned the team's dynamic one-two receiving punch of Watson and their first round pick Matthew Golden.
According to NFL.com, the Packers have given a four-year $110.5 million extension to Watson.
NFL.com also noted that the 2025 season, in which Packers collapsed towards the end of the season, is giving Watson and his teammates an extra edge and is pushing them to finish the games.
It was important because the Green Bay Packers were struggling in terms of their receiver depth. The Packers lost Jayden Reed and Skyy Moore due to some injuries in the previous games.
Yahoo Sports observed that if Watson does not play, then the Packers will be forced to rely more on Golden, Melton and Tucker Kraft. As the running game of Packers is among the worst in the league, it is Watson's big play skills that help offset their poor running game.
As of now, the Packers have not shared any update about his medical condition. The ESPN reported it as a fractured rib. Initially, the Packers only said that it was a chest injury and taking him to the hospital was precautionary.
It is not known yet if he will miss any practice sessions.
The rib injuries are treated with pain medication and protection and usually players continue to play even when they suffer from such an injury. However, ESPN also reported the issue of coughing up blood which is something that requires monitoring.
The Green Bay Packers, who have won five games and lost three games so far, travel to play the New England Patriots this Sunday, November 8, before hosting the Minnesota Vikings on November 15. It is unclear whether Watson will be fit for these games depending on how his injury heals.
