The Green Bay Packers ruled out wide receiver Christian Watson and listed wide receiver Romeo Doubs as questionable for Sunday’s season-opening game against the Chicago Bears.
How will the injury situation affect Sunday’s showdown?
Buy Packers TicketsHere’s an in-depth break down of the Packers’ final injury report of Week 1:
Questionable (1)
WR Romeo Doubs (hamstring): After missing practice on Wednesday, Doubs returned on Thursday and Friday as a limited participant. He’s now two weeks clear of the original injury, which was suffered before the Packers’ preseason finale. Barring a setback, Doubs should play. The only question: Will he be limited in any way? The Packers need his experience and playmaking ability during Jordan Love’s first start.
Out (1)
WR Christian Watson (hamstring): A big blow for the Packers passing game. Watson is the team’s most explosive pass-catcher and big-play threat, and not having his speed on the field will both affect the way Matt LaFleur calls the game and the way the Bears defend the Packers offense. Without Watson available, the Packers will likely lean more on Samori Toure, Dontayvion Wicks and Malik Heath, with Wicks and Heath used more on the perimeter and Toure in the slot. Rookies Jayden Reed and Luke Musgrave figure to be primary targets in the passing game, with Musgrave’s vertical speed now even more important.
No injury designation
LT David Bakhtiari (vet rest/knee): Despite not practicing all week, Bakhtiari is expected to start at left tackle. Matt LaFleur said Bakhtiari feels good physically entering Sunday.
OLB Rashan Gary (knee): No injury designation means Gary will play in his first game since tearing his ACL last November. The Packers are expecting him to be on a pitch count to start the season.
S Anthony Johnson Jr (knee): The rookie practiced full on Thursday and Friday. Will he be active for his first NFL game in Week 1? The Packers may need him on special teams.
WR Dontayvion Wicks (hamstring): With Watson and Doubs dealing with injuries, Wicks — a fifth-round pick — could play important snaps in his NFL debut.
Bears injury report
Backup linebacker Dylan Cole is questionable with a hamstring injury. The Bears did not give designations to safety Jaquan Brisker, safety Eddie Jackson, tight end Marcedes Lewis, defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker and offensive lineman Nate Davis, meaning all five are expected to play Sunday.
