Packers wide receiver Christian Watson returns after hospital visit for rib injury
Christian Watson left the game with a broken rib and coughing blood, was treated at a local hospital, and rejoined the Packers in the third quarter to help secure a 27-19 win over the Panthers.
Green Bay wide receiver Christian Watson was taken to a hospital early in the second quarter after a collision left him coughing up blood and later diagnosed with a fractured rib. He returned to Lambeau Field with just over four minutes left in the third quarter, after being cleared by medical staff, and finished the game as the Packers held a 27-13 lead and ultimately won 27-19.
"No internal bleeding, no anything that was raising suspicion," Watson told Amazon reporter Kaylee Hartung. "I was spitting a little blood at first, so they just wanted to make sure there was nothing crazy. I cleared everything and was able to get back out."
"I'm trying to be out on the football field, that's first and foremost to me," he added.
Watson said he felt short of breath after falling on the ball following a 53-yard catch, prompting the ambulance transport. After a CT scan confirmed the rib fracture, doctors cleared him to play with additional padding. He returned to the field, catching two more passes, including a third-down conversion that helped seal the victory.
The injury occurred when Panthers cornerback Will Lee III collided with Watson; Lee left the game with a hamstring injury.