Green Bay Packers receivers Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks missed practice for the second consecutive day on Thursday and will likely be challenged to play Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings.
Coach Matt LaFleur said Watson and Wicks would likely need to participate in some capacity during Friday’s practice to have a chance to play Sunday night.
Watson has missed three straight games since injuring his hamstring late in the Packers’ win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 3. Wicks has battled through an ankle injury but was knocked out of last Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers after sustaining a chest injury.
The Packers will provide a final injury report with playing status designations for Week 17 on Friday.
Watson is the team’s best deep threat and red-zone weapon. Wicks has become a go-to target and big-play creator down the stretch in 2023.
If Watson and Wicks are unavailable, Jordan Love and the Packers would be down to Romeo Doubs, Malik Heath, Samori Toure and Bo Melton as healthy receivers. Jayden Reed is attempting to come back from chest and toe injuries.
Last week, the Packers scored 33 points in a win over the Carolina Panthers despite not having Watson and Reed. Wicks was unavailable in the second half.
The Packers are also attempting to get back rookie tight end Luke Musgrave, who practiced again Thursday. LaFleur said Musgrave — who remains on injured reserve — wants to play Sunday night, but he’s still working his way back into football shape after suffering a severe kidney injury against the Los Angeles Chargers.