Who Should I Start? Diontae Johnson or Christian Watson

Wednesday, January 1, 3:52 PM

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Wednesday that wide receiver Diontae Johnson will make his team debut in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Tennessee Titans on Sunday. "He's picking it up pretty fast. We'll try to put him in situations to utilize his strengths," Ryans said. After a disastrous short tenure with the Baltimore Ravens in which he caught one of his five targets for six yards in four games and was also suspended for conduct detrimental to the team after being frustrated with his lack of a role, Johnson will attempt to carve out a role in Houston alongside Nico Collins with both Tank Dell (knee) and Stefon Diggs (knee) out for the year. The 28-year-old caught 30 passes for 357 yards and three TDs in seven games with the Panthers before being traded to Baltimore. He'll be a true wild card during the postseason, and it remains to be seen how much he'll be involved this Sunday in a meaningless game.

Thursday, January 2, 1:39 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) warmed up inside with the team for the first time on Thursday since injuring his knee in the Week 16 win over the New Orleans Saints, but he didn't come outside with the rest of the team to practice. It appears that Watson is making some progress with his bruised left knee, but it may not be enough for the Packers to feel comfortable throwing him out there in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Chicago Bears. The 25-year-old does have one more day of practice on Friday, though. Given Watson's lengthy injury history, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Green Bay rest him for a second straight game so that he can be closer to full strength for the start of the playoffs next week. If Watson is ruled out on Friday, it will mean more targets for receivers Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and tight end Tucker Kraft.