Report: No cause for concern on Sammy Watkins injury

The Green Bay Packers added veteran wide receiver Sammy Watkins to the active/non-football injury list on Tuesday. The designation did not include any specifics about why he is now on the list, but according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, the former Clemson Tigers wideout could be back soon.

“There’s no cause for long-term concern,” Demovsky tweeted. “At this point, the expectation is that he will return sooner rather than later.”

Watkins, a former first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in the 2014 NFL Draft, signed a one-year deal worth $4 million with Green Bay back in April. The Packers brought him in to provide a veteran presence. They also need him to replace some of the productivity after the departure of All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Although Watkins’ PUP designation may not be “cause for long-term concern,” it’s still a setback for the Packers’ offense this summer. The wideout needs reps to build chemistry with returning MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Last season in Baltimore, Sammy Watkins had a career-low 49 targets with 27 receptions, 394 yards, and one touchdown.

Packers put nine players on PUP list heading into training camp

NFL teams across the league are announcing the players they’ve decided to put on the physically unable to perform list or PUP list, heading into training camp. On Friday, the Green Bay Packers placed nine players on their physically unable to perform list. Christian Watson, Robert Tonyan, Elgton Jenkins, Mason Crosby, Dean Lowry, Kylin Hill, Hauati Pututau, Randy Ramsey and Patrick Taylor made the list.

From the PUP list, the players on it can be activated at any time. There is no time limit on how long the player must be on the list in the preseason.

The more concerning names on this list for Packers fans are wide receiver Christian Watson and tight end Robert Tonyan.

The franchise drafted Watson out of North Dakota State with the No. 34 overall selection in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s expected to compete for playing time in his rookie season. However, landing on the PUP list certainly doesn’t help things. Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper reported on Friday evening that it’s not clear what injury is hampering him.

On3’s Justin Rudolph contributed to this report.