Green Bay Packers fans just got hit with a gut punch straight from head coach Matt LaFleur: it’s ‘too soon’ to know if receiver Jayden Reed, who got knocked out against the New York Jets, will be back this season. Even though the team officially lists him with a back injury, LaFleur confirmed on Tuesday it was a neck injury that sent him to the East Coast overnight for tests. He’s back in Green Bay now, but the uncertainty around his return date? That’s what’s got everyone holding their breath.
Reed isn’t just some guy on the roster, either. He was the starting slot receiver, a role that Skyy Moore stepped into on Sunday. And get this: Reed just inked a three-year, $50.25 million contract extension! That deal doesn’t even kick in until 2027, but he snagged a $16.5 million signing bonus this offseason. He was supposed to be a massive part of their passing game for years to come. Now, they don’t even know if he’ll play another snap in 2026. What a total blow.
And if that wasn’t enough, it’s a full-blown injury epidemic over there. Remember Zach Bako-Bewele? He just admitted he’s got a full tear of his patellar tendon in his right knee, the very same knee he partially tore last season. That’s a potentially career-altering injury, and he just got his first game check for a four-year, $88 million deal in Week 1. Talk about brutal timing. As for the offensive line, left guard Aaron Banks is a game-time decision for his knee and toe injuries. If he can’t go, it’s Donovan Jennings, who himself is nursing a hand injury, then maybe Jager Burton. And if Anthony Belton, Bako-Bewele’s replacement, can’t play right tackle because of a shoulder issue, they’re looking at John Williams or Travis Glover, both healthy scratches last week. Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich says they want “continuity up front,” but they’ve already played five different offensive line variations in two weeks! Good luck with that.
The Packers are set to face the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday. With so many key guys either out or playing hurt, and questions swirling about their starting slot receiver’s entire season, the biggest challenge for this team might just be figuring out who’s actually available to play.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Acme Packing Company.
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