The Green Bay Packers (2-1) are set to receive some major reinforcements ahead of the massive divisional matchup against the Detroit Lions (2-1) to kick off the Week 3 slate.

Wide receiver Christian Watson is expected to make his 2023 season debut, albeit on a snap count, and running back Aaron Jones is set to return after missing the last two weeks of the season, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Both players have been dealing with hamstring injuries this season. Jones suffered his injury against the Chicago Bears in Week 1 while Watson has been dealing with his injury since before the start of the season.

#Packers WR Christian Watson and RB Aaron Jones — both listed as questionable with hamstring injuries — are expected to play tonight vs. the #Lions. The team will be cautious with the workload, particularly for Watson. But barring a setback, a boost for Green Bay's offense.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 28, 2023

Watson led the Packers with seven receiving touchdowns during his rookie season in 2022. His return will be a major boost for quarterback Jordan Love, who's attempted to take the league by storm since taking over as the Packers starting quarterback.

Watson really emerged last season in Week 10 against the Dallas Cowboys. The Packers top wide out scored all seven of his touchdowns during the four game stretch, following the three touchdown performance. From Week 10 to the rest of the season, Packers then-quarterback Aaron Rodgers averaged 7.1 yards per attempt, compared to 6.8 in Weeks 1-10.

Love has averaged the same 6.8 yards per attempt through three weeks this season without Watson. Fellow second-year wide receiver Romeo Doubs has been Love's primary target, hauling in a team-high 11 receptions and 3 touchdowns.

Rookie Jayden Reed, however, has led the way through the air for the Packers with a team-high 148 receiving yards. Love currently has thrown for 218.3 passing yards per game without Watson this season, which ranks 18th in the league per ESPN.

Jones' return will also be a welcome one against the Lions. Despite missing the last two weeks of the season, Jones is still ranked third on the team with 41 rushing yards. In Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, Jones recorded 127 total yards and two touchdowns in the 38-20 win.

In Jones' absence, the Packers have averaged 89.5 rushing yards per game. AJ Dillon has been the team's leading rusher with 88 yards combined in Week's 2-3. The team averaged 3.9 rushing yards per carry against the Falcons and Saints combined.

The Lions have allowed 72.0 rushing yards per game this season to opposing offenses, the fifth fewest in the NFL. The Packers will be glad to have Jones back on the field if they wish to get things going on the ground tonight.

For those concerned about Watson and Jones returning to the lineup so quickly and on a short week with soft tissue injuries, the Packers next game won't be until next Monday night. Then the Packers will have a break with their scheduled bye set for Week 6. 

This means that after today, the Packers will only have one game to play over the next 23 days. That will give Watson and Jones plenty of time to heal after the game while also making sure they are both available tonight in a huge NFC North battle.

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