The Green Bay Packers fanbase has been buzzing about Jayden Reed’s foot injury, and now the latest practice news has everybody guessing. Reed missed the first preseason game after going down during camp, and even though he won’t suit up for Week 2, things look a whole lot brighter now.
How Will Jayden Reed’s Progress Affect the Green Bay Packers’ Preseason Plans?
Reed hasn’t taken part in Packers practices since hurting his foot, but on Thursday, the 25-year-old wideout showed up looking much better than last week. What changed? He ditched the walking boot. That update from Packers writer Matt Schneidman set off plenty of optimism among fans, even though Reed still isn’t running routes yet.
Jayden Reed is out of his walking boot but not practicing. He walks out to practice here in Westfield with Romeo Doubs, Savion Williams and Dontayvion Wicks, all also not practicing. Christian Watson obviously out, too. pic.twitter.com/Y1HF7kCwbj
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 14, 2025
Even though Reed isn’t practicing yet, dropping the boot is a good sign for his regular-season chances. Reporters wasted no time asking Reed how he feels about the possibility of missing Week 1, and he kept things close to the vest.
Green Bay opens the season with a huge matchup against the Detroit Lions, so there’s plenty riding on Reed’s recovery. When asked about the nerves or concern for missing the opener, Reed simply answered, “I don’t want to be the one to speak on it.”
He may not want to give a timeline for getting back, but Reed knows how it is for every NFL player dealing with adversity. “You gonna face adversity, that just happens,” Reed said. “You gotta find out how to respond.”
What Does Jayden Reed’s Role Mean for the Packers’ Receiver Rotation in 2025?
So, where does Reed fit in Green Bay’s offense for the 2025 campaign? Packers quarterback Jordan Love has spent most of his NFL career playing without an obvious WR1. In 2021-22, Love saw limited time behind Aaron Rodgers, and in 2023, took control of the offense and built a strong connection with Reed, who led the team in receiving yards that year.
Last year, that duo kept things rolling. Reed saw fewer targets, but turned them into more yards than he did in 2023, which only made the chemistry stronger. Now, heading into the new season, the question is whether Love and Reed level up together or if someone else grabs the spotlight in Green Bay’s wide receiver group.
The draft in April got fans outside Lambeau Field hyped when Green Bay picked Matthew Golden at No. 23 overall. Golden, out of Texas, is the first wide receiver the Packers picked in round one since Javon Walker went 20th back in 2002.
Golden enters a loaded room alongside Reed, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, Savion Williams, and new arrival Mecole Hardman, who brings Super Bowl experience. With so many choices, who steps up as WR1 is anyone’s guess – and it’ll be worth watching all season long.
