Surviving the injuries suffered by defensive end Micah Parsons and receiver Christian Watson during Sunday’s loss in Denver will likely require recent first-round picks Lukas Van Ness and Matthew Golden to emerge in a big way over the final three games of 2025.
Parsons is believed to have torn his ACL, which would end his season and leave a gigantic gap at edge rusher in Jeff Hafley’s defense. Watson injured his chest and needed additional testing done at a local Denver hospital. No word yet on his recovery timetable, but it’s only reasonable to expect Watson to miss at least a game or two (or more) moving forward.
There really is no way to “replace” Parsons and Watson. Parsons is one of the game’s most dominant and valuable and consistently impactful defensive players. Watson helped reignite the Packers passing game in a post Tucker Kraft world, and his versatility as a deep threat, slot weapon, intermediate target and run blocker in Matt LaFleur’s scheme makes him immensely valuable to the entire operation.
It seems increasingly unlikely that the Packers will be an elite defense without Parsons or continue having an elite passing game without Watson and Kraft. At some point, losing very good players just becomes too much to overcome.
But Van Ness and Golden will have an opportunity to step into bigger roles for the Packers and stabilize the pass-rush and passing game to finish 2025.
Of course, opportunities are one thing. Taking advantage is entirely another.
Van Ness, a 2023 first-round pick, returned Sunday after missing seven of the last eight games with a foot injury. He was on a breakout pace to start the 2025 season, possibly due to the arrival of Parsons, but the foot injury put a quick halt to it. Can he be a disruptive force opposite Rashan Gary the rest of the way?
Golden, a 2025 first-round pick, has sprinkled in a few big plays in a rotational role as a rookie, but like Van Ness, he’s dealt with injuries over the last two months, including a wrist injury that has limited him over the last month. On Sunday, Golden caught four passes for 55 yards and drew a pass interference penalty. He had a 27-yard catch, an 18-yard catch and an 11-yard catch on third down. If nothing else, Golden has the elite speed and reliable hands necessary for taking on some of Watson’s role moving forward.
More than likely, it will take the efforts of many for the Packers to handle the injuries to Parsons and Watson.
Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, rookie Barryn Sorrell and even Brenton Cox Jr., who is ready to come off injured reserve, will need to make timely plays. Gary, who doesn’t have a sack in almost two months, must step into the role of the alpha rusher.
In addition to Golden, Jordan Love will need more from Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks in the passing game. While Watson was hugely valuable in multiple roles, the Packers remain deep in options at receiver.
But Van Ness and Golden were first-round picks. They were drafted to be difference-makers. In a “next man up” situation brewing in Green Bay, the Packers must get the best from their most talented players to survive without Parsons and Watson down the stretch.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Injuries to Parsons, Watson turn spotlight on recent Packers first-round picks
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