Packers WR Christian Watson Taken to Hospital With Chest Injury After 53-Yard Catch vs. Panthers

Packers wide receiver Christian Watson was taken to a hospital for precautionary testing Thursday night after hurting his chest on a 53-yard catch in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field.

Jordan Love dropped a deep ball in on Watson, and he hung on as two Panthers defenders came down on top of him. Watson stayed down, then got up and walked off on his own while holding his right side. He went into the blue medical tent, walked to the locker room and was listed as questionable to return with a chest injury. Minutes later, the team said he was being sent to the hospital. Carolina CB Will Lee was also hurt on the play and was carted to the locker room with a hamstring injury.

The Packers called the hospital trip precautionary, and they've been through this before. Last season in Denver, a Watson shoulder injury was first announced as a chest injury and he went to the hospital, then he played the next week.

Losing him for any stretch would hurt. Watson has been Green Bay's best downfield threat. He came into the night with the second-most catches of 20-plus yards in the NFL, and he was Love's top target before the injury. He did lose a fumble earlier in the game.

Matthew Golden is active tonight after his own injury questions, and he gives Green Bay another vertical option while Watson is out.

Green Bay came into Thursday at 4-3. The Packers get extra rest after the Thursday game, with their next one Nov. 8 at New England. That gives Watson some time if the tests come back clean.