(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed will miss the rest of the season after suffering a neck injury in Week 2 and will undergo surgery, coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Wednesday.
Reed will be placed on injured reserve after sustaining the injury during the Packers’ 20-17 overtime victory over the New York Jets on Sept. 20. He was injured on Green Bay’s second offensive play and was placed on a backboard before being taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
LaFleur said the injury will not end Reed’s career, but the receiver will miss a significant amount of time.
“From my understanding no, but he will be out a significant amount of time.” LaFleur said when asked whether the injury could end Reed’s career.
Reed Faces Another Early-Season Injury
The injury marks the second consecutive season in which Reed has landed on injured reserve early in the year.
Reed broke his collarbone in Week 2 last season and underwent surgery. He also had a lingering foot injury addressed during the same procedure before returning in Week 14 and playing the final four regular-season games and the Packers’ playoff loss to the Chicago Bears.
Reed had four catches for 24 yards through two games this season before his injury. The 26-year-old has spent his entire NFL career with Green Bay since the Packers selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
He signed a three-year, $50.25 million contract extension with the Packers in April.
Packers Lose Key Part of Receiving Corps
Reed’s absence leaves Green Bay without one of its most productive receivers from the past two seasons. He led the team in receiving during each of his first two NFL seasons and has 142 receptions for 1,881 yards and 18 total touchdowns in his career.
The Packers revamped their receiver room during the offseason, trading Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles and losing Romeo Doubs in free agency. The team had planned to feature Reed alongside Christian Watson and first-round pick Matthew Golden.
Watson currently leads Green Bay with 17 receptions for 284 yards and four touchdowns, while Golden has 15 catches for 253 yards and one touchdown. Skyy Moore has five receptions for 37 yards, while tight end Tucker Kraft has nine catches for 106 yards.
Reed’s season-ending injury could lead to increased opportunities for those players as the Packers adjust their passing game.
Reed’s Recovery Begins After Scary Injury
Reed was placed on a backboard and had his helmet secured after going down against the Jets. He remained in New Jersey overnight rather than traveling back to Green Bay with the team.
“It’s a pretty scary deal,” LaFleur said. “You never want to see anybody in that position, let alone one of your own guys.”
Reed later addressed the situation on Instagram, writing, “God will use the unusual to do the unexpected… 11 out.”
The Packers will now prepare for the remainder of the season without their 2023 second-round pick while Reed begins his recovery from the neck injury.
