Green Bay Packers: Christian Watson explains why Sunday in Tampa is personal

· Yahoo Sports

Christian Watson will play a game at Raymond James Stadium for the first time Sunday when the Green Bay Packers visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Watson grew up in Tampa and played high school football at Plant High School before going to North Dakota State.

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Green Bay’s last trip to Tampa came in 2022, his rookie season. A hamstring injury kept him out of that one.

“I mean, it was definitely tough to not be able to play back then, but it is what it is,” Watson said. “We get an opportunity to go back there now and obviously hopefully make some plays in front of the crib.”

The Packers are 1-2. Tampa Bay is 0-3.

Christian Watson has scored in every game of 2026

Sep 13, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) reacts after the loss against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Watson has 17 catches for 284 yards and four touchdowns through three games.

He opened the season with six catches for 147 yards and two scores in a 39-22 loss at Minnesota. His three-yard touchdown with 7:58 left in regulation started the comeback in a 20-17 overtime win over the New York Jets. Against the Atlanta Falcons, he caught seven of 10 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in a 35-14 loss.

Watson does not know exactly how many people will be in the building for him.

“Honestly, I have no idea,” Watson said. “I mean, I know it’s going to be 15 to 20 people that, you know, I personally obviously are getting, you know, to the game. Or, you know, obviously I know for a factor at the game. But, I mean, I’m scrolling through Instagram or Snapchat and see people, you know, at the Buccaneers games, you know, all the time. So I’m sure it’ll be even more than that.”

“People just obviously that I know or went to school with that will be there,” Watson continued. “So it’ll be a good time.”

Watson on losing Jayden Reed

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) runs the ball during the first quarter of their wild card playoff game against the Chicago Bears Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.

Watson will make the trip without the third member of the receiver group Green Bay built around this offseason. Matt LaFleur announced Sept. 30 that Jayden Reed needs season-ending neck surgery. Reed was carted off after the second play from scrimmage against the Jets, ESPN reported.

“I mean, that’s super tough, obviously, to, you know, have a brother that’s going through something like that,” Watson said. “I mean, obviously, you know, my first, you know, thought for him is just to make sure that, you know, he’s okay as a, you know, as a man outside of football and everything, and, you know, obviously just praying for him in that aspect.”

“But I mean, it’s definitely a big loss for the football team, but I mean, we just gotta, you know, rally around him through his recovery and, you know, rally as a football team and, you know, make plays for him,” Watson added.

Skyy Moore is first in line for Reed’s role. Watson said the depth behind him has been watching Reed for a while.

“Oh, I mean, the confidence is still high,” Watson said. “I mean, we had guys that, you know, were able to sit behind, you know, Jay Reed and watch, you know, everything that he was doing and learn from him. And obviously, you know, we’re always learning from each other and, you know, all the time. So, you know, I think that we got the right guys to step up and, you know, try to fill his shoes as best as possible.”

Kickoff is set for noon CT on FOX.

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