Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed’s 2026 season is officially done, a gut-punch that comes after he suffered a scary neck injury against the New York Jets in Week 2. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Wednesday that Reed will miss the rest of the year to get neck surgery. While the injury isn’t believed to be career-ending, he absolutely needs the full season to recover.
A New Contract, A Massive Hole
This setback is brutal timing for Reed, especially after he just inked a three-year, $50.3 million contract extension this past offseason. The plan was for him to step into a much bigger role in that Packers offense, especially with Romeo Doubs heading off to the New England Patriots in free agency. Reed has been one of quarterback Jordan Love’s most trusted targets, so filling that massive void certainly won’t be easy. Now, that big investment won’t see the field for the remainder of the year.
Who’s Next Up, And What They’re Missing
With Reed sidelined, the spotlight instantly turns to Christian Watson and second-year receiver Matthew Golden to step up for the Packers’ offense. We already saw Skyy Moore, who signed with Green Bay this offseason after previous stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, get on the field for 52% of the offensive snaps in Week 3 to fill in. He turned seven targets into three catches for 31 yards, showing there’s work to be done.
Even with a quiet start to this season, you can’t overlook Reed’s overall track record. Drafted in the second round back in 2023 out of Michigan State, he’s consistently proven to be a dynamic playmaker for four seasons in Green Bay. He’s stacked up 142 receptions for 1,881 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns. But he’s not just a pass-catcher either. Reed has established himself as a versatile weapon, adding 310 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. That kind of all-around production is tough for any team to replace.
Sitting at 1-2 in a crowded, highly competitive NFC North, losing a guy like Reed could not have come at a worse moment for the Packers. Now, the pressure is squarely on Jordan Love and the rest of the offense. Can they rally without one of their most dynamic and trusted targets and still stay in the division race? All eyes are on that offense to see if they can turn things around.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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