Throughout the season, the Green Bay Packers have struggled with numerous serious injuries. Despite their modest record of 6-7, they hold the final slot in the NFC Playoff picture. With four games left, it’s becoming increasingly important for the NFC teams to win because they all have identical 6-7 records. But these games will also get harder and worse because of their injuries.
While the Packers did not practice on Wednesday, they did release their first injury report of the week with estimates on the practice status of each player on it. One of the new names on this report was rookie wide receiver Jayden Reed.
During the Packers’ 24-22 loss to the New York Giants on Monday night, Reed hit his head on the ground and was evaluated for a concussion. Green Bay had not made any announcement regarding his status up until today.
Fortunately, Reed did not suffer a concussion and is on the injury report due to an ankle injury. While the severity of the injury is not known, Reed himself discussed his availability for Sunday’s matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Jayden Reed Expects to Play vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While being listed on the injury report and estimated as a limited participant may be concerning, it does not seem like Reed is concerned about his availability for Sunday. He told Sprots Illustrated‘s Bill Huber that he is fine and will be able to play against the Buccaneers:
This is certainly good news for Green Bay. Christian Watson was estimated to be a non-participant on the injury report as he continues to recover from an injured hamstring that he suffered late in the Packers’ win against the Kansas City Chiefs. Additionally, rookie wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks is dealing with a high ankle sprain and will likely miss some time.
Being down two wide receivers is bad enough. Green Bay will also be without starting tight end Luke Musgrave, who is recovering from a lacerated kidney. Aaron Jones remains week to week with a sprained MCL, though he was estimated as a limited participant on the injury report as well.
Jayden Reed Is on Pace for One of the Best Rookie Seasons by a Wide Receiver in Green Bay Packers History
So far this season, Reed has 48 receptions for 540 yards and five touchdowns in the passing game. He ranks second on the team in receptions (behind Romeo Doubs’ 49) and leads the team in passing yards. His five receiving touchdowns are also tied for second on the team (Doubs has seven; Watson also has five).
Reed needs just seven more receptions to tie the Packers’ rookie record for passes caught. Sterling Sharpe set the mark at 55 during his rookie season in 1988. That year, Sharpe had 55 receptions for 791 yards and one touchdown.
Last season, Watson had the best year for a rookie wide receiver in the Aaron Rodgers era, hauling in 41 receptions for 611 yards and seven touchdowns.
The best rookie season for a wide receiver in Packers history occurred by in 1952 when Billy Howton, who is somehow not in the Hall of Fame despite retiring as the NFL’s all-time leading receiver, had 53 receptions (then a team record) for a NFL-leading 1,321 yards and 13 touchdowns.
