It's still undetermined if second-year wide receiver Christian Watson will play for the Green Bay Packers against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The offensive weapon hasn't played since December 3, when he suffered a new hamstring injury during the Kansas City Chiefs game. Since then, he has missed five games.

#Packers WR Christian Watson, out since Dec. 3, will work out pregame to test his hamstring and determine if he can play today, source said. For the first time in a month, there is some optimism that he can go. But the workout is key.

Star CB Jaire Alexander is viewed as 50/50.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2024

According to NFL Network's NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Watson will test his hamstring pregame to see how he feels. But, for the first time in a month, there's optimism that Watson may play.

Injury history

Since entering the NFL in 2022, Christian Watson has suffered three hamstring injuries. Two of them happened this season. The first, right before the regular season, made him miss three games.

After all those issues, Christian Watson played only nine regular season games in 2023, finishing the season with 28 catches for 422 yards and five touchdowns — a regression compared to his rookie year, when Watson played 14 games and had 41 receptions, 611 yards, and seven touchdowns, plus 80 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Role

Even though Christian Watson is not 100%, his presence on the field would be extremely important for the Packers offense. He is the most explosive player on the team, and his ability to stretch the defense vertically is unmatched.

Moreover, Watson is highly effective as a redzone weapon. In last year's game against the Dallas Cowboys, the wide receiver had a breakout game, scoring three touchdowns in a 31-28 overtime Packers win.

50-50

Meanwhile, cornerback Jaire Alexander is a true gametime decision. He rolled the ankle during Wednesday's practice and didn't participate in the activities on Thursday and Friday. Without assurances that Alexander will be available, the Packers elevated David Long from the practice squad for gameday.

Green Bay also has Carrington Valentine, Corey Ballentine, Keisean Nixon, and Robert Rochell at cornerback on the active 53-man roster.

Just like Christian Watson, Jaire Alexander has handled multiple injuries this season. He missed games earlier because of back and shoulder issues, playing just seven games in the regular season.

And that's the big reason why Jaire didn't receive individual recognition. Over the last four seasons, Alexander was a Second-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler twice (2020 and 2022), but missed significant parts of the season in the other two years (2021, 2023).

Injury report

The only other player on the Packers roster with an injury designation for the Cowboys game is running back AJ Dillon, listed as doubtful to play. He has a stinger and missed the Chicago Bears game in week 18. A player with a doubtful designation hasn't played for the Packers since 2019, a strong indication that Dillon won't be available.

Without Dillon, the Packers depth at running back is compromised. Beyond starter Aaron Jones, the options on the roster are Patrick Taylor and Emanuel Wilson.

On Saturday, the Packers released Kenyan Drake from the practice squad. The team still has rookie Ellis Merriweather, but he was not elevated for gameday.

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