By Field Level Media
Oct 30 (Field Level Media) - Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson returned to action in the third quarter Thursday night after being taken to a hospital for precautionary testing due to a chest injury he sustained against the visiting Carolina Panthers.
The fifth-year player was hurt while catching a 53-yard pass from Jordan Love midway through the second quarter. Watson landed hard on the turf as he secured the ball. Carolina cornerback Will Lee III sustained an apparent
hamstring injury on the play, as well.
"I think I just landed on the ball, it got me in the ribs," Watson said postgame on ESPN.
Watson told Prime Sports he was "spitting a little blood at first" after the play, prompting the team to send him to a local hospital. Tests detected no internal bleeding.
While he was at the hospital, Watson kept up on the action at Lambeau Field.
"One of the doctors had his phone out. I was just watching the play-by-play," Watson told Prime Sports.
An ambulance brought him back to the stadium, and he got out of the vehicle still in uniform. Soon, he was playing again.
"I never wanted to go (to the hospital)," Watson said. "I was hoping they would let me off. I said I was feeling better once I kind of caught my breath. They said there were a couple signs that made them have to take me over there, so it is what it is.
"I was just praying that it was good enough where I could come back out here. Obviously, thankfully it was, and I was able to get back out. ... Just thankful I was able to get back out there."
Watson returned to the field late in the third quarter, then caught a 6-yard pass on the opening play of the fourth. He ended the night leading all players with eight catches and 113 yards as the Packers prevailed 27-19.
The 53-yard gain highlighted an impressive first half for Watson. He made six receptions on seven targets for 100 yards before exiting.
(--Field Level Media)
