Packers placing Jayden Reed on IR with neck injury

Dustin Judge
Green Bay Packers Jayden Reed

The Green Bay Packers are placing wide receiver Jayden Reed on injured reserve because of a neck injury, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move ensures Reed will miss at least the next four games as he continues to recover without a clear timeline for return.

Reed suffered the neck injury during Green Bay’s Week 2 win over the New York Jets, an injury serious enough that it required a brief hospital stay. He was carted off the field on a stretcher and spent the night in a New York-area hospital before traveling back to Green Bay separately from the team, according to Yahoo Sports.

What the Packers and reports have said

Reed has yet to be given a firm timeline for his return, according to CBS Sports. Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters Monday he still had no updates on how long Reed would be sidelined, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. The move to injured reserve formalizes that Reed will be out for a minimum of four games under NFL roster rules.

Who steps up in his absence

With Reed out indefinitely, second-year receiver Matthew Golden is expected to see an expanded role as Green Bay’s No. 2 option behind the top target, according to CBS Sports. Skyy Moore, Bo Melton and J. Michael Sturdivant are all projected to see increased snaps in three- and four-receiver sets as the Packers redistribute targets.

Moore, who also handles punt-return duties and serves as a secondary kickoff returner, has caught just 10 passes over his last 26 games and has one career touchdown catch, per Yahoo Sports. The Packers have also been linked to free-agent wideout Odell Beckham Jr., who was released by the New York Giants this week after playing just 19 snaps over three games with a single target and no receptions, according to NFL.com’s Kevin Patra.

What’s next

Reed will need to miss a minimum of four games before he’s eligible to return from injured reserve. The Packers are expected to provide updates on his recovery as their season continues, though no further timeline has been given.

Reporting from CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports 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.