Injuries continue to derail Sammy Watkins’ career, Packers send him to IR
Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver Sammy Watkins was honest with reporters in training camp when he talked about injuries derailing his career and the need to get healthy.
Watkins, who is in his ninth NFL season after being drafted with the fourth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, has only played one full season–his rookie year. He’s missed games due to an injury in every other season and has only played in double-digit games once in the past four seasons.
Following the best game of his short Packers’ career (he had three receptions for 93 yards against the Chicago Bears in Week 2), he hurt his hamstring in practice this week. After not practicing for a few days, the Packers placed him on the injured reserve on Saturday, meaning he’ll miss at least the next four games.
Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver Sammy Watkins has been sent to the injured reserve with a hamstring injury following a breakout game.
Hamstrings aren’t anything to mess with, as they can linger for months if not addressed appropriately. It appears the Packers aren’t going to take any chances and are putting Watkins on the shelf so he can take the time he needs to get healthy.
Green Bay was already very conservative with their free agent addition. He didn’t play in any of the preseason games despite not having great practices to begin training camp. However, Green Bay was committed to their plan with him and held him out of the three exhibition games. Watkins has proven to have Aaron Rodgers’ trust entering the season despite the two never playing together in the past.
Watkins is also one of the better run-blocking wide receivers in the NFL. That’s a trait the Packers’ coaching staff values highly and has allowed them to be very effective on the ground this season.
Watkins is unquestionably frustrated. Injuries have already sapped him of a lot of the athleticism that made him an elite prospect entering the league nine years ago. He was likely hoping a new situation would help him turn a leaf, but it’s more of the same.
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With Watkins sidelined, rookies Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson will be counted on even more. Watson is dealing with his own hamstring issue and is listed as questionable for this Sunday’s game. However, their long-term production will be needed if Green Bay wants to accomplish the goals they’ve set for themselves.