Jan 5, 2025
Packers' WR Watson carted off; QB Love hurts elbow
On the same drive in the second quarter of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears, the Packers lost receiver Christian Watson to a right knee injury and three plays later quarterback Jordan Love sustained a right elbow injury.
ESPN
,GREEN BAY, Wis. -- This was not an ideal way for the Packers to head into the playoffs.
On the same drive in the second quarter of Sunday's 24-22 loss in the regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears, the Packers lost wide receiver Christian Watson to a right knee injury, and three plays later, quarterback Jordan Love sustained a right elbow injury.
Malik Willis finished the first game in place of Love and finished 10-of-13 for 136 yards.
Watson was ruled out at the start of the third quarter. Love was not ruled out but never returned to the game, although he was seen on the sideline throwing the football.
Watson, the Packers' deep-threat receiver, went down while running a route. It was a noncontact injury on a play in which the ball was thrown to Dontayvion Wicks on the other side of the field. Watson needed assistance to get off the field, and after being examined in the sideline medical tent, he was carted to the locker room.
Love came off the field shaking his throwing hand and could not finish the series. Willis finished the drive and led the Packers to their first touchdown of the game to pull within 14-10 with 11:12 left in the second quarter. The Packers trailed the Bears 14-13 at halftime.
Watson had missed the previous game with a knee injury, but that was to his left knee.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur chose not to rest his starters in Week 18. The Packers will be the No. 7 seed in the NFC after the loss as the Washington Commanders defeated the Dallas Cowboys 23-19 to earn the sixth seed.