Packers' Jayden Reed out for 2026 season with neck injury, set for surgery

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed will miss the entire 2026 season due to a neck injury sustained during Week 2 against the New York Jets and will undergo surgery, Coach Matt LaFleur confirmed on Wednesday, September 30.

Reed, 26, suffered the injury on the second play of Green Bay's offensive possession on September 20 at MetLife Stadium. He was placed on a backboard with his helmet strapped down, per CBS Sports, and was eventually carted off to a local hospital where he stayed overnight for evaluation. ESPN reporting indicates Reed had movement in his extremities after the injury but remained in New Jersey instead of returning to Green Bay with the team.

LaFleur stated per CBS Sports: "It will be a season-ending (injury). He'll be out, unfortunately. He let me know yesterday that he's going to have to have surgery as well." The coach added, per CBS Sports, that based on his understanding of the injury and upcoming procedure, it is not a career-threatening situation, but Reed will be out "a significant amount of time."

LaFleur described his reaction to the moment, telling CBS Sports: "It's tough on him. He's a guy that wants to be out there. He wants to compete. ... Anytime you go through a situation like that, it's a pretty scary deal. I didn't even realize the magnitude at the time, but certainly when I was out there with him and just seeing what was going on, you know, it shocks you. It jolts you a little bit cause you never want to see anybody in that position, let alone one of your own guys."

Reed, the Packers' leading receiver in each of his first two seasons, signed a three-year, $50.25 million contract extension in April 2026. Selected 50th overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Michigan State, Reed has 142 catches for 1,881 yards and 18 total touchdowns in his career, per ESPN. This marks the second straight year Reed has gone on injured reserve early in the season; last year he broke his collarbone in Week 2, then underwent surgery to repair both that injury and a lingering foot issue. He returned in Week 14 and played in the final four regular-season games plus the playoff loss to the Chicago Bears.

At the time of his injury this week, Reed had four catches for 24 yards, per ESPN. The Packers streamlined their receiver room this offseason, trading Dontavion Wicks to the Eagles and losing Romeo Doubs to free agency with the Patriots, to feature Watson, Matthew Golden, and Reed. Christian Watson now leads the team with 17 catches for 284 yards and four touchdowns, while Matthew Golden has 15 catches for 253 yards and a touchdown, per ESPN. Skyy Moore is the next leading receiver with five catches for 37 yards. Tight end Tucker Kraft has nine catches for 106 yards.