For the second straight year, the Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed will miss time due to an injury. The receiver went down with a severe neck injury during the Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets. And now, the Packers have placed Reed on the injured reserve, as Reed is questionable to return for the remainder of the season.
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Subsequently, ESPN’s Adam Schefter added another layer to Reed’s neck injury. The analyst reported that Reed is out indefinitely, if not for the season, as he continues his recovery. Right after that, Schefter also reported that head coach Matt LaFleur has confirmed that Reed will undergo season-ending neck surgery.
“It will be season-ending. He’ll be out, unfortunately. He let me know yesterday that he’s going to have to have surgery as well. But he will be out a significant amount of time. I mean, it’s tough on him.
He’s a guy that, you know, he wants to be out there and compete. And certainly, I think that any time you go through a situation like that, it’s a pretty scary deal. I didn’t even realize the magnitude at the time. But certainly, when I was out there with him and just seeing what was going on, you know, it kind of shocks you.”
Reed also took to his social media handle and shared an emotional post.
“God will use the unusual to do the unexpected… 11 out🙏🏾,” Reed captioned his Instagram post, while taking a knee on the field.
The development gained momentum after the Packers’ 20-17 win over the Jets in Week 2. Reed suffered the injury on the second play of the game. The Packers called the bubble screen to Reed, who caught a short pass from quarterback Jordan Love and gained four yards.
As Reed finished the play, Jets linebacker Demario Davis tackled him. Davis’ left shoulder appeared to make direct contact with the front of Reed’s helmet.
The impact caused Reed to go down immediately. He remained on the ground as the medical personnel rushed in. Subsequently, Reed left the field and never returned to the field for the remainder of the game. Later, head coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged that Jayden Reed had movement in all of his extremities.
“He will be staying overnight. That was obviously a very scary deal. Anytime you see anybody down on the field and have to get carted off,” said LaFleur.
Reed did not travel back to Green Bay with the Packers after their 20-17 overtime victory. Instead, he stayed overnight in New Jersey and was hospitalized for observation. Subsequently, he missed the Packers’ Week 3 loss to the Atlanta Falcons and now will miss the rest of the season.
After his post gained traction, his teammates chimed in to show their support for the receiver.
“Love u family,” wrote Reed’s fellow receiver Matthew Golden, while safety Javon Bullard added, “Love ya bird🤞🏾, LEAN ON GOD.” Savion Williams also offered support, as he commented, “❤️❤️.”
This is the second time Reed has suffered an injury in the second week of a season. In the 2025 season, he suffered a fracture in his collarbone against the Washington Commanders. As that happened, he missed the majority of the season after undergoing surgeries to repair a broken clavicle and a Jones fracture in his left foot.
While Green Bay ultimately activated him from injured reserve in 2025, Reed’s 2026 season has ended, as he will now undergo season-ending surgery. The Packers had just signed him to a three-year, $50.25 million contract extension earlier this year.