The Green Bay Packers have dealt with a slew of severe injuries this season. While they are at 6-7, they own the final slot in the NFC Playoff picture. With numerous NFC teams having identical 6-7 records, each of the four remaining games is becoming a “must win.” However, due to their injuries, these games will become increasingly difficult.
While the Packers did not practice on Wednesday, they did release their first injury report of the week, which included estimations on each player’s practice status. Jayden Reed, a rookie wide receiver, was one of the new names on this report.
Reed banged his head on the ground during the Packers’ 24-22 loss to the New York Giants on Monday night and was examined for a concussion. Green Bay has made no word about his situation until today.
Reed, fortunately, did not sustain a concussion and is included on the injury report due to an ankle issue. While the extent of the injury is unknown, Reed has stated that he will be available for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jayden Reed of the Green Bay Packers is expected to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
While being classified on the injury report and projected as a limited participant is alarming, Reed appears unconcerned about his availability on Sunday. He informed Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated that he is well and will be able to play against the Buccaneers:
This is undoubtedly fantastic news for Green Bay. Christian Watson was expected to be a non-participant on the injury report as he recovers from a hamstring injury suffered late in the Packers’ win against the Kansas City Chiefs. Furthermore, rookie wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks has a severe ankle injury and will be out for some time.
It’s bad enough that the team is missing two wide outs. Green Bay will also be missing starting tight end Luke Musgrave, who has a lacerated kidney and will miss the game. Aaron Jones is out for the week with a sprained MCL, however he was also listed as a limited participant on the injury report.
Jayden Reed is on pace to have one of the best rookie seasons in Green Bay Packers history as a wide receiver.
Reed has 48 receptions for 540 yards and five touchdowns in the passing game so far this season. He leads the team in throwing yards and ranks second on the club in receptions (behind Romeo Doubs’ 49). His five receiving touchdowns are second on the team (Doubs has seven, and Watson has five).
Reed only needs seven more catches to match the Packers’ rookie record for passes caught. During his debut season in 1988, Sterling Sharpe set the record at 55. Sharpe has 55 receptions for 791 yards and one touchdown that season.
Watson had the best rookie wide receiver season in Aaron Rodgers’ tenure, pulling in 41 grabs for 611 yards and seven touchdowns.
The best rookie season for a wide receiver in Packers history happened in 1952, when Billy Howton, who retired as the NFL’s all-time top receiver despite having 53 receptions (then a team record), 1,321 yards, and 13 touchdowns.
