A divisional week arrives with the Green Bay Packers evaluating two wide receivers for possible return and opening practice windows for two players on injured reserve, signaling potential reinforcement across the offense and edge rotation.
Packers Provide Injury Update on Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden for Week 14
Head coach Matt LaFleur said Jayden Reed has been designated for return from injured reserve and will practice through the week, but he must clear a medical evaluation before playing.
“The plan is to see where he’s at at the end of the week, and if he’s good to go,” LaFleur said Monday. “He has to get cleared first, I know he’s back to practicing, but he’s ultimately got to get cleared to go out there and play a game.”
Reed underwent surgeries to address a foot issue and a collarbone fracture; LaFleur has indicated that the foot is healed, with the collarbone still requiring clearance to return to game-ready status. The staff could order an additional scan to confirm his readiness for complete contact. Before the Week 2 injury, Reed logged three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown.
LaFleur also described Matthew Golden as “potentially” available for Sunday after missing two games with a wrist injury sustained in Week 11 at New York. Through nine games, Golden has 24 receptions for 286 yards, including a three-catch, 86-yard outing in October and a 24-yard explosive play before the wrist setback.
LaFleur praised Golden’s explosive traits and emphasized the mental and physical toughness required to navigate the return process.
Separately, Green Bay sought roster flexibility by releasing rookie wide receiver Will Sheppard. This move aligns with LaFleur’s public comments that Reed and Golden could be available against the Chicago Bears. The open roster spot could accommodate Reed’s activation if he clears medical thresholds, while other IR and injury decisions remain in play across the roster.
The internal wide receiver picture has held and, in some cases, improved over recent weeks. Christian Watson has three touchdown catches in his last three games, Dontayvion Wicks produced 100 total yards with two scores in Detroit, and Romeo Doubs continues as a frequent target for Jordan Love. LaFleur acknowledged the challenge of distributing touches while noting he prefers surplus over scarcity as health improves.
Packers Open Windows For MarShawn Lloyd and DE Brenton Cox Jr.
Green Bay designated running back MarShawn Lloyd and defensive end Brenton Cox Jr. to return from injured reserve, opening their 21-day practice windows. Lloyd was placed on IR after a preseason hamstring injury against Indianapolis and has not played this season, following a rookie year limited to one game.
Cox went on IR after a groin injury in last season’s finale against the Detroit Lions and has served as a backup with Kingsley Enagbare in the edge rotation. The designations enable practice participation and provide staff flexibility to assess readiness for activation without committing to a specific return date.
These moves arrive alongside broader roster mechanics and injury management. With Reed’s window already open and Golden’s wrist trending toward possible participation, the Packers can tailor personnel groupings to opponent tendencies while maintaining optionality for late-week decisions.
Any activation for Lloyd or Cox will follow practice evaluations, medical clearance, and roster logistics, which include the newly opened 53-man spot and any forthcoming IR placements elsewhere on the roster.
The first injury report for Week 14 is scheduled for Wednesday, with final statuses due Friday. That timeline sets the stage for contact clearance, activation decisions, and potential role adjustments ahead of Chicago, as Green Bay balances returning playmakers with continuity from recent weeks.