Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Jayden Reed to Undergo Season-Ending Neck Surgery
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed will miss the remainder of the NFL season and is scheduled to undergo neck surgery, head coach Matt LaFleur announced to reporters on Wednesday. The fourth-year pass-catcher sustained the injury during the Packers’ Week 2 20-17 overtime victory against the New York Jets on Sunday, Sept. 20, at MetLife Stadium. Despite the severity of the procedure, LaFleur noted that the team does not believe the ailment will end Reed’s career.
The Injury Sequence at MetLife Stadium
Reed was hurt on Green Bay’s second play from scrimmage after securing a 4-yard reception in the left flat, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. New York Jets defender Demario Davis turned Reed sideways during the tackle attempt before teammate Kingsley Enagbare made a glancing blow to Reed’s back and neck area. Medical personnel attended to Reed on the field, and teammates surrounded him as he was loaded onto a stretcher and transported off the turf.
Following the diagnosis, Reed was placed on the reserve/injured list. He shared an update via Instagram on Wednesday morning, writing, “God will use the unusual to do the unexpected… 11 out🙏🏾.” His fiancée, Aneisha Cox, previously shared a video update on TikTok noting that his recovery is progressing on a day-by-day basis.
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Contract Status and Career Production
The loss deals a significant financial and tactical setback to the Packers, who signed Reed to a three-year, $50.25 million contract extension last May that included $20 million in guaranteed money. Selected 50th overall out of Michigan State in the 2023 NFL Draft, Reed led Green Bay in receiving yards during both of his first two professional campaigns.
As a rookie in 2023, he caught 64 passes for 793 yards and eight touchdowns. He followed that performance in 2024 by playing in all 17 games with 10 starts, hauling in 55 receptions for 857 yards and six scores. However, durability has proved challenging over his career. Reed was limited to seven games during the 2025 season after suffering a broken collarbone in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders and later undergoing surgery for a Jones fracture in his left foot before returning for the final five contests and the postseason. In two appearances this season, he recorded four receptions for 24 yards.
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Offensive Adjustments and Upcoming Schedule
With Reed out for the rest of the year, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that Skyy Moore will step into a prominent role and absorb additional targets in the passing game alongside Christian Watson and Matthew Golden. Moore joins the offense following stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.
The Packers turn their focus toward a Week 4 matchup on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers are managing their own roster constraints ahead of kickoff, playing without quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Jalen McMillan.
