Bears vs. Packers: WR Christian Watson OUT for Week 1

The Chicago Bears received some good news on both sides of the injury front Friday.

All of the critical starters for the Bears will suit up in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. Safeties Jaquan Brisker and Eddie Jackson were full participants in practice, as were defensive end DeMarcus Walker and guard Nate Davis.

The news wasn’t so good for the Green Bay Packers, who will be without wide receiver Christian Watson on Sunday.

#Packers announced WR Christian Watson is out for Sunday’s game at Soldier Field. WR Romeo Doubs is questionable. Both have been dealing with hamstring injuries.

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) September 8, 2023

Watson is entering his second season in the NFL after joining the Packers as a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He finished his rookie year with 41 catches for 611 yards and seven touchdowns.

Watson was on fire from Weeks 10 through 13 last season. He scored all seven touchdowns during that four-game stretch, including three against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10.

Christian Watson had three catches for 48 yards and a touchdown against the Bears in Week 13.

Watson’s absence will have a massive impact on Packers quarterback Jordan Love’s ability to make plays downfield against an impressive Bears’ secondary. If Romeo Doubs misses the game, too, Love will be relegated to handing off to running backs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon for most of the game.

Malik Heath? Samori Toure? Dontayvion Wicks? It’s not exactly a who’s who of wide receivers after Watson and Doubs.

The Chicago Bears could use a bit of luck to start their critical 2023 season. Christian Watson missing Week 1 is certainly some.

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