Packers receiver Jayden Reed gets bad news about neck injury after leaving Week 2 game on spine board
Green Bay’s bright‑spot wide receiver Jayden Reed will miss the rest of the season after a severe neck injury sustained during the Packers’ week‑10 showdown with the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Reed was tackled hard in the third quarter of the 38‑27 loss. The hit was so violent that trainers, doctors and the stadium’s emergency crew rushed onto the field as soon as the player collapsed. He was carted off on a spine board and transported to a hospital, where he spent the night in the medical wing.
A medical review revealed a serious neck injury that requires surgery. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed on Wednesday that the procedure will end Reed’s season and that the player will be placed on the injured reserve list. In a press conference, LaFleur said, “It will be a season‑ending. He’ll be out, unfortunately. He let me know yesterday. He’s going to have to have surgery.” He added that while the surgery is “significant” for the player’s timeline, it is not expected to end his career.
Reed, 26, has played four seasons in the NFL. He emerged as a key target during the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, catching 119 passes for 14 touchdowns in 23 starts. He is widely respected for his work ethic and energy both on the field and in the locker room. “He’s an energy guy and he will certainly be missed,” LaFleur said.
The injured player himself posted an Instagram update after the game, writing, “God will use the unusual to do the unexpected… 11 out🙏🏾.” The post suggested a resilient attitude as he recovers.
Reed’s teammates and fans will miss his presence on the roster, but the club will look to its depth chart and other playmakers to fill the void. The Packers’ coaching staff and medical team are optimistic that, with proper rehabilitation, Reed could return in a future season, though the path to recovery will be long and the decision about future play will involve weighing the risk of re‑injury.
The team has no immediate plans to alter the schedule or personnel beyond the injury. As of the latest update, Reed remains hospitalized with a neck injury that will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the 2024 campaign.
