The Green Bay Packers may be off to a decent start, but they’d be doing even better if wide receiver Jayden Reed weren’t injured.
The Packers currently have a 2-1 record on the year. Reed injured his foot early in training camp and was playing through the injury when he broke his collarbone in the Week 2 win over the Commanders on September 11. As a result, rookie draft picks Dontayvion Wicks, Matthew Golden, and Savion Williams have stepped up in Reed’s absence.
What Is the Status Update on Jayden Reed Entering Week 4?
Reed was quarterback Jordan Love’s top target last season, hauling in 55 receptions for 857 yards in addition to finding the end zone seven times. He even had an additional 20 carries that went for 163 yards, making him the only player in the NFL with 800-plus receiving yards and 150-plus rushing yards in 2024.
Unfortunately for Reed fans, the Packers have since placed the wide receiver on injured reserve; General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced the transaction on Saturday.
The official reason he was placed on IR was the surgery he had to fix both a broken collarbone and a Jones fracture in his left foot. The wideout posted on his X account that the surgery was successful last week.
A Michigan State alum, Reed was the No. 50 overall pick selected by Green Bay in 2023. Sure, losing Reed is a significant loss to the offense, but it does allow head coach Matt LaFleur to ensure more targets for the previously mentioned Wicks, Golden, and Williams.
With Reed sidelined due to injuries, it opens the door, albeit unfortunately, for the three to create chemistry over the course of the season and build confidence that will undoubtedly be needed come the winter.
Williams is a third-round pick out of TCU who has utilized his explosiveness on kick returns, along with his two carries out of the backfield for 24 yards this past Thursday.
Golden was held without a catch last week, having a ball swatted away in the end zone early on and then being slightly overthrown on a deep ball on what could have been his first career touchdown.
The 24-year-old Wicks has been in the league since 2023. While all three wide receivers can fill the void temporarily left by Reed, fans should take it as a good sign that the Packers aren’t taking any drastic measures.
The Packers have yet to make a corresponding roster move, leaving them with two open roster spots after placing defensive end Brenton Cox Jr. on injured reserve last week.
Green Bay will next see play without Reed at the ever-famous Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 28; kick-off is slated for 8:20 p.m. EST.
