Not only did Jayden Reed miss the Green Bay Packers’ preseason opener against the New York Jets on Saturday night, but the third-year wide receiver was seen walking around Lambeau Field with a boot.
That’s never a great sign, and head coach Matt LaFleur admitted it’s cause for concern. However, the expectation is that Reed will be ready to face the Detroit Lions in Week 1, less than a month from now.
“Now, from my understanding, it’s something different,” LaFleur said when asked if it was still Reed’s toe injury that made him land on the NFI-list early in training camp.
“So it’s unfortunate, but hopefully we’ll get him back before the regular season. Anytime you see a guy in a boot, that’s a concern.”
Reed had already missed Thursday’s practice with his foot issue. Because it’s still the preseason, the Packers don’t have to share any details about the injury or how likely Reed is to return for the next two exhibition games. Asked about the injury in the locker room, Reed himself didn’t want to give much information.
“I don’t wanna be wrong about anything,” the receiver said. “So I ain’t gonna be the one to say.”
A second-round pick in 2023, Jayden Reed was the Packers’ leading receiver in each of his first two NFL seasons. He had 793 yards in 2023 and 857 last season.
However, he’s been mostly a backup throughout training camp as the Packers have used 12 personnel more frequently.
Reed is perceived by the Packers as a slot-only player, so Romeo Doubs and Matthew Golden have been the starting wideouts.
On the unofficial depth chart, Jayden Reed appears as a starting wide receiver in 11 personnel. Last season, Reed played in 63% of the offensive snaps.
On Saturday against the Jets, the Packers had to handle several wide receiver injury issues. Besides Reed and Christian Watson, who’s recovering from an ACL injury and won’t be back in time for the start of the regular season, Green Bay didn’t have Dontayvion Wicks and rookie third-round pick Savion Williams.
Undrafted rookie Will Sheppard was the only Packers player with multiple catches, finishing the game with two for 20 yards late in the game.
Among the starting-caliber pieces, only Matthew Golden had a reception—a seven-yarder from Jordan Love.
