Jayden Reed Injury Update, Packers WR's Timeline to Return After Surgery Decision

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed is scheduled to undergo neck surgery and will miss the rest of the season, head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters on Wednesday.

LaFleur added that he doesn't believe this is a career-ending injury.

NFL insider James Palmer provided more insight:

Reed also posted on Instagram this morning: "God will use the unusual to do the unexpected… 11 out🙏🏾."

The fourth-year pro out of Michigan State initially suffered the neck injury in the Packers' 20-17 overtime road win over the New York Jets on Sunday, Sept. 20.

ESPN's Rob Demovsky explained what happened on the play.

"[Reed] was injured on the Packers' second play from scrimmage after he caught a 4-yard pass in the left flat. New York's Demario Davis turned Reed sideways with a tackle attempt and then fellow Jets defender Kingsley Enagbare caught Reed in the back/neck area with a glancing blow."

Reed's Packers teammates surrounded him as he was taken off the field on a stretcher.

Aneisha Cox, Reed's fiancée, provided an update on TikTok last week.

"Jayden is doing very good," Cox said. We greatly appreciate all the prayers and kind messages...It's 100 percent a day-by-day type of recovery."

Reed impressed in his 2023 rookie season, catching 64 passes for 793 yards and eight touchdowns. He followed that up with 55 receptions for 857 yards and six scores in 2024. Reed led the Packers in receiving both years.

Unfortunately, Reed was held to seven games in 2025 after suffering a broken collarbone in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders while making a diving touchdown catch on a play that was ultimately nullified due to a offensive holding penalty, per Demovsky . Reed also got surgery on a Jones fracture in his foot, an ailment he was playing through to start the season.

Reed came back for the final five games of the year (plus the Packers' Wild Card matchup). Last April, he and the Packers agreed to a three-year, $50 million extension ($20 million guaranteed).

This is a brutal blow for the Packers, who have certainly benefitted from Reed's playmaking abilities in the Jordan Love era. LaFleur spoke about Reed's absence, noting Skyy Moore will be in line for more targets in the passing game.

The Packers will look to get on track on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are dealing with their own injury issues and will be without quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Jalen McMillan.