The Green Bay Packers have been without receiver Jayden Reed since Week 2 against the Washington Commanders.
Reed broke his collarbone in Week 2 and has also been dealing with a foot injury. However, his practice window was opened ahead of Green Bay’s November matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, and he could return soon.
Reed has established himself as the Packers’ most reliable No. 1 receiver in his first two years, and it would be a big boost to the receiving corps to get him back for the home stretch of the season.
What Does Jayden Reed Bring To the Packers Offense?
The Packers drafted Reed in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Michigan State. The young receiver played in all 16 games his rookie season and caught 64 passes for 793 yards and eight touchdowns.
Reed followed that with 55 catches for 857 yards and six touchdowns in his second season. His receptions and touchdown production dipped, but his big-play ability was on full display.
“He’s a YAC (yards after catch) machine,” LaFleur said on Wednesday. “He does a really good job, whether it’s handing him the ball, flipping him a screen, getting him downfield in a pass concept. He does a really good job after the catch.”
Reed displayed that big-play ability throughout college, averaging more than 10 yards per reception throughout his four years.
In 2021, Reed caught 59 passes for 1,026 yards in his junior year at Michigan State and had 10 receiving touchdowns, averaging more than 17 yards per catch. The Packers saw that and wanted to implement it into their system with LaFleur’s offense, and it worked well the first two years.
In Year 3, Reed has been sidelined with injuries for 12 weeks, but he could return against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. When the third-year receiver is ready to return, he’ll bring another dimension to the Packers’ offense.
“He’s got a ton of experience. You guys see how we’ve used him in the past in regards to moving him all over the place,” LaFleur said. “There’s a lot of things that he brings to our team. It’s all the little things that he does when he’s not playing with the football – the dog mentality he brings to our offense.
“He’s always doing a lot of the dirty work, digging out safeties, just competing to the highest level.”
With tight end Tucker Kraft out for the year, the Packers need their receivers to step up. Last week, it was Dontayvion Wicks with his career game, reeling in six passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Christian Watson had been a big addition since he made his season debut as well. Watson has been graded as the Packers’ best receiver this season, according to PFSN’s WR Impact, with rookie Matthew Golden just behind him.
Once Golden and Reed are back, they’ll complete the receiving corps with Watson, Wicks, and Romeo Doubs. LaFleur said there is a lot of talent in that group, and once they are all healthy, he’ll be able to keep everyone fresh and at their best.
It has been two weeks since Reed’s practice window was opened, and Sunday feels like the game he could finally return for.
