The Packers enter the 2024 season with Super Bowl expectations behind rising star quarterback Jordan Love.
If Green Bay is going to reach its full potential, Love is going to need all of his weapons at his disposal.
Last season, one of Love's favorite targets, wide receiver Christian Watson, could not stay healthy. The 2022 second-round pick out of North Dakota State has shown flashes as a playmaker over two NFL seasons, but a nagging hamstring injury has limited him to just that — flashes.
Watson has already missed 11 regular season games in his career due to a right hamstring injury. The ailment cost him eight games last season alone, and he never looked 100-percent healthy even when he was on the field.
This offseason, the Packers wide receiver went searching for answers on how he could get right before 2024 training camp started.
Christian Watson hamstring treatment
Watson utilized the NFL's $4 million research project on hamstring injuries at the University of Wisconsin to get educated on the science behind the recurring issue.
He underwent several tests and body scans that revealed that there was a muscle imbalance in his legs. He had a little less strength in his right leg compared to his left.
"For me, it really was the asymmetry between the legs," Watson told the media during an OTA practice in May, according to ESPN.
"It comes from a lot of things. Obviously, the issues I've had in the past with hamstrings, not fully recovering from those strength-wise. I've been attacking the strength side of it, trying to get that symmetry back, and it's been huge for me. I feel really, really good. I gotta continue grinding at it."
Watson has been using a device called a "NordBord," which measures hamstring strength and imbalance, according to Packers.com's Wes Hodkiewicz.
"The device locks around the individual's ankles and data is collected with the athlete falling forward in a push-up position. Perfect symmetry would be zero, though that's virtually impossible to achieve," Hodkiewicz described.
"Honestly, that's my favorite part of the week, just going in there and getting to see that we've knocked off 4, 5, 6 percent of that asymmetry every week," Watson told Packers.com.
"Obviously, I still have a goal to get to. I want to be perfectly symmetrical, so I'll continue to work on that."
Watson has still been productive, even when hampered by his hamstring injury. He has collected 1,033 yards and 12 touchdowns on 69 receptions in just 23 regular season games over two years.
If he can remain healthy this season, he'll be in store for a breakout year as Love's favorite deep threat.
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