The Green Bay Packers (7-3-1) secured an impressive 23-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12. They remained firmly in contention for the NFC North title against the Detroit Lions (7-4) and Chicago Bears (8-3). However, the situation would be even better if some key players, such as Jayden Reed, were available.
Jayden Reed Injury Update
After suffering a collarbone injury in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders, the wide receiver had to undergo surgery. He spent a long time on the injured reserve list and used the downtime also to correct a foot injury he had suffered during training camp. Fans became hopeful of seeing Reed back in action after the WR was cleared to return to practice last week.
The Packers, which currently ranks 7th in the PFSN Offense Impact metric with a B grade, have 21 days from the date of Reed’s return to training to activate him.
Expectations were raised that he would be activated in time for the Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions, a direct duel for division leadership. The latest update confirms his return to training. However, he will not play today against the Lions.
Reed only returned to training last Friday. He would need at least a week to readjust and regain his peak physical condition. The WR said in a press conference that his recovery had had “ups and downs.” This makes a quick return even more unlikely after several months away from the Packers, recovering from surgery.
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After two and a half months away and a week of training, the WR will likely need more time before he is available. It is also worth noting that there was no official training prior to Thursday’s game. With that, the most likely scenario for Reed’s return is in Week 14, against the Bears.
The Packers Deal With Significant Injuries in the Regular Season
Regardless of when it happens, Reed’s return will be a considerable boost to the Packers’ offense. Matt LaFleur’s team is also without wide receiver Matthew Golden, a rookie who has missed the last three games due to injury.
On the other hand, the Packers know they will no longer be able to count on tight end Tucker Kraft, as his torn anterior cruciate ligament ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Instability has also marked the campaigns of Dontayvion Wicks and Matthew Golden, also due to injuries. At least Green Bay was recently able to celebrate the return of WR Christian Watson.
Green Bay Packers’ Insights for Week 13
Team: The Packers are playing on Thanksgiving for the third straight year. Green Bay is 16-20-2 after beating the Dolphins and Lions the last two seasons.
QB: Jordan Love has two touchdown passes in the last four games after throwing 13 in the first seven games.
Offense: Romeo Doubs had 34 catches for 441 yards and four touchdowns on 6.5 targets per game in the first eight games. In the last three games, Dobbs has caught seven passes for 81 yards and no touchdowns on 5.0 targets per game.
Defense: The Packers recorded the team’s best PFSN Defense Impact (DEFi) score since 2006. Since 2000, the 93.2 (A) against the Vikings in Week 12 is only behind a 93.8 (A) in Week 5 against the Lions in 2009 and 93.5 (A) against the Bears in the final game of the 2006 season.
Fantasy: Jordan Love has now thrown zero touchdowns in three of his last four games. Things should turn around against a Lions pass-funnel defense, which allows the seventh most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.