Packers' Watson carted off; Love leaves hurt too

GREEN BAY, Wis. — This was not an ideal way for the Packers to head into the playoffs.

On the same drive in the second quarter of Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears, the Packers lost receiver Christian Watson to a right knee injury, and three plays later, quarterback Jordan Love sustained a right elbow injury.

Malik Willis finished the first half in place of Love.

Watson was ruled out at the start of the third quarter. Love was not ruled out, but Willis started the third quarter.

Watson, the Packers’ deep-threat receiver, went down while running a route. It was a noncontact injury on a play in which the ball was thrown to Dontayvion Wicks on the other side of the field. Watson needed assistance to get off the field and then after being examined in the sideline medical tent, he was carted to the locker room.

Love came off the field shaking his throwing hand and could not finish the series. Willis finished the drive and led the Packers to their first touchdown of the game to pull within 14-10 with 11:12 left in the second quarter. The Packers trailed the Bears 14-13 at halftime.

Watson had missed the previous game with a knee injury, but that was to his left knee.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur chose not to rest his starters in Week 18. While they had already clinched a playoff spot, the Packers began the day with the possibility of being either the No. 6 or No. 7 seed in the NFC. A win combined with a Washington Commanders loss at the Dallas Cowboys would give the Packers the sixth seed.