Packers WR Jayden Reed out for season with neck injury

Dustin Judge
Green Bay Packers Jayden Reed

Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed will have season-ending neck surgery after suffering a neck injury against the New York Jets in Week 2, coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Wednesday. The team will place Reed on injured reserve after he suffered the injury in the first quarter of Green Bay’s 20-17 overtime win over the New York Jets on Sept. 20.

“It will be a season-ending [injury],” LaFleur told reporters. “He’ll be out, unfortunately. He let me know yesterday that he’s going to have to have surgery as well.”

What the Packers said

Jayden Reed was down on the field after the play, placed on a backboard and carted to a local hospital, where he stayed overnight for evaluation, according to CBS Sports. LaFleur said the injury is not believed to be career-threatening, though Reed will miss “a significant amount of time.”

“Anytime you go through a situation like that, it’s a pretty scary deal,” LaFleur said. “He’s a guy you have a lot of love for and brings so much to this organization and this football team, to the locker room. He’s an energy guy, and he will certainly be missed.”

Reed posted to Instagram following the news: “God will use the unusual to do the unexpected… 11 out.”

Quarterback Jordan Love also spoke on the loss. “We will definitely be missing J-Reed,” Love said. “He is one of one.

He is a big-time player, obviously holding down the slot position for us. He does so many great things.”

Who replaces him in the offense

Green Bay will lean more heavily on Christian Watson and second-year receiver Matthew Golden to absorb Reed’s targets. Watson has 17 catches for 284 yards and four touchdowns this season, while Golden has 15 catches for 253 yards and one score, per AP News.

Skyy Moore, who signed with Green Bay this offseason after stints with Kansas City and San Francisco, stepped in for Reed in Week 3. Moore was on the field for 52% of the snaps, catching three passes for 31 yards on seven targets, per FOX Sports. Tight end Tucker Kraft could also see an expanded role in the passing game.

Reed’s season and career to date

Jayden Reed had been limited to four receptions for 24 yards through two games this season before the injury. The 26-year-old signed a three-year, $50.25 million contract extension in April and was expected to take on a bigger role following Romeo Doubs’ departure to New England in free agency.

Reed was selected in the second round out of Michigan State in 2023. In his Packers career, he has recorded 142 receptions for 1,881 yards and 18 total touchdowns, plus 310 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. His absence adds to Green Bay’s early-season struggles, which include ongoing issues along the offensive line.

What’s next

Green Bay’s offensive line has been a major problem all season, and the Packers signed veteran guards Kevin Zeitler and Laken Tomlinson this week to address the unit. Green Bay (1-2) visits Tampa Bay (0-3) this Sunday. The team will likely rely on Christian Watson and Matthew Golden to fill Reed’s production while the Jayden Reed injury heals.

Reporting from ESPN, CBS Sports, FOX Sports and The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.