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Rob Demovsky
Multiple Authors
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers receiver Jayden Reed will be placed on injured reserve, and his season is over because of the neck injury he sustained in Week 2, coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Wednesday.
LaFleur said Reed will undergo surgery, but it is not expected to be career-ending.
“From my understanding no, but he will be out a significant amount of time,” LaFleur said when asked if it could end his career.
Reed was carted off the field after the second play from scrimmage against the New York Jets on Sept. 20. He was placed on a backboard and had his helmet strapped down. He had movement in his extremities but stayed in New Jersey that night instead of returning to Green Bay with the team.
“Any time you go through a situation like that, it’s a pretty scary deal,” LaFleur said. “I didn’t even realize the magnitude at the time but certainly when I was out there [on the field] with him and seeing what was going on, it shocks you. It jolts you a little bit because you never want to see anybody in that position let alone one of your own guys.”
Earlier Wednesday, Reed posted on Instagram: “God will use the unusual to do the unexpected… 11 out.”
It marks the second straight year that Reed has gone on injured reserve early in the season. Last year, he was also injured in Week 2, when he broke his collarbone. He underwent surgery to not only repair the collarbone but also a lingering foot injury. He returned in Week 14 and played in the final four regular-season games plus the playoff loss to the Chicago Bears.
The Packers then signed Reed to a three-year, $50.25 million contract extension in April.
The second-round pick in 2023 had four catches for 24 yards at the time of his injury. He was the Packers’ leading receiver in each of his first two seasons and has 142 catches for 1,881 yards and 18 total touchdowns in his career.
The Packers streamlined their receiver room this offseason in order to feature Christian Watson, Matthew Golden and Reed. They traded Dontavion Wicks to the Eagles and lost Romeo Doubs in free agency to the Patriots. Watson leads the team with 17 catches for 284 yards and four touchdowns, while Golden has 15 catches for 253 yards and a touchdown. The next leading receiver is Skyy Moore with five catches for 37 yards. Tight end Tucker Kraft has nine catches for 106 yards.
