The injury occurred early in the September 20 matchup, with Reed being carted off the field after the second play from scrimmage. Following the incident, he was placed on a backboard and required his helmet to be secured. While he maintained movement in his extremities, the severity of the situation necessitated that he remain in New Jersey for medical observation rather than traveling back to Green Bay with the team.
Recovery timeline and impact on Packers roster
Addressing the media, LaFleur expressed the emotional toll the injury took on the team, noting that seeing a player in such a vulnerable position was a jarring experience. While the coach confirmed that the surgery is not expected to be career-ending, he noted that Reed faces a significant period of rehabilitation before he can return to the field.
This development marks a difficult start to the season for the Packers' receiving corps. Reed, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, had recorded four catches for 24 yards prior to his injury this year. His absence creates a notable void in the offense, as he had established himself as the team's leading receiver over his first two professional seasons, accumulating 142 receptions for 1,881 yards and 18 total touchdowns.
The Packers had entered the season with a streamlined receiver rotation designed to highlight Reed alongside Christian Watson and Matthew Golden. With Reed now sidelined, the team will look to rely more heavily on Watson, who currently leads the squad with 17 catches for 284 yards and four touchdowns, and Golden, who has contributed 15 receptions for 253 yards. The team also faces a similar injury history for Reed, who was placed on injured reserve early in the 2023 season after sustaining a broken collarbone in Week 2. He eventually returned to action in Week 14, playing through the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs.
