Green Bay Packers (2-1-1) wide receiver Christian Watson returned to the practice field on Monday for the first time since tearing his ACL this past January. Green Bay activated Watson off the physically unable to perform list, opening the 21-day window where he can practice without counting on the 53-man roster. The Packers can activate Watson at any time during that window.

“I mean, it felt great,” Watson said, via Packers.com. “Obviously I was super anxious to just be able to get back to some football. It meant a lot to me to be able to get back out there, for sure.”

Watson, 26, was Green Bay’s second round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s been productive when healthy, logging 98 receptions for 1,653 yards and 14 touchdowns. Since entering the NFL, Watson’s averaged 16.9 yards per catch — third-most among receivers with 75 or more receptions during that span. Watson signed a one-year, $11 million base extension with $6 million guaranteed last month.

Christian Watson on track to make NFL return in near future

The former North Dakota State standout spent his first day of practice doing individual drills. He did not take any 11-on-11 snaps. Watson said he hasn’t taken any days off since undergoing reconstructive knee surgery, doing everything he can to get back on the field.

“I just want to stack days,” Watson said. “As long as I continue to feel good, obviously my goal is to play as soon as possible. I’d say the only hurdle really is just getting live reps and getting back into everything … just knocking the rust off, getting back into full football mode, live bullets.”

Green Bay’s offense could use him, with 2024 leading wideout Jayden Reed on injured reserve. His teammates were happy to see him back.

“Man, it was great,” defensive end Rashan Gary said. “I was telling him, don’t hide back the smiles too much. It was great seeing him back out there because he worked his butt off to get there.”