Photo credit: Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Wide receiver Jayden Reed was among some of the big names sitting out Saturday’s preseason opener for the Green Bay Packers. However, spectators were really caught off guard seeing Reed in a walking boot.
Everyone doing pushups to end practice, even #Packers WR Jayden Reed while in a boot pic.twitter.com/oSCBVz48dw
If Reed misses the start of the season, what would it mean for Green Bay’s offense?
Reed is a Swiss Army Knife of sorts. The third-year receiver can play slot, line up on the outside, or in the backfield, and the Packers love using Reed in jet and orbit motion.
He had some quiet games last year, especially compared to his red-hot start to 2024. Still, Reed is constantly bouncing around pre-snap and keeping defenses on their toes. Teams always need to account for him.
The threat that Green Bay could give Reed the ball in various ways creates headaches for opposing defensive coordinators preparing for the Packers. If he misses time, someone needs to fill that role at least partially. Rookie draft picks Matthew Golden and Savion Williams could benefit most from additional looks.
Golden and Reed have nearly identical builds. The Packers list both at 5’11”, and they have Reed as only four pounds lighter than the rookie. Like Reed, Golden is shifty, quick, and a threat to take the lid off a defense at any time.
Replacing Reed — if he misses time — isn’t as simple as plugging in Romeo Doubs or Dontayvion Wicks just because they top the depth chart. Ideally, you’d get someone, or multiple options, to bring some of those traits that make Reed so dynamic. Golden could help check some boxes from a pure wide receiver perspective, and he’s already showing in training camp that he has some of the best hands on the team.
Then there’s Williams. He checks the “other” boxes, like when the Packers put Reed in the backfield or have him in the jet or orbit motion before snapping the ball. The two don’t share a similar frame; Williams is built like a truck at 6’4”, 222 lbs.
TCU used Williams in myriad ways, particularly in the ever-popular “Frog Package” introduced by offensive coordinator Kendal Briles. Reed’s absence at any time would undoubtedly give Williams more opportunities if he’s able to fully recover from the concussion he suffered earlier in camp.
Ideally, for the Packers, Reed gets out of the boot and is good to go for Week 1 against the Detroit Lions.
After Saturday’s game, LaFleur was asked if Reed’s walking boot was related to a toe injury that landed him on the NFI list early in training camp. The head coach sort of denied this, but didn’t provide much actual clarity:
Now, from my understanding, it’s something different. So it’s unfortunate, but hopefully we’ll get him back before the regular season. Anytime you see a guy in a boot, that’s a concern.
When Reed was asked about it at his locker, he gave a rather coy answer, saying, “I don’t wanna be wrong about anything. So I ain’t gonna be the one to say.”
Green Bay’s passing game stagnated near the end of last season, and Reed’s versatility and dynamism were key elements that were supposed to help the aerial attack return to form. Don’t forget it was Reed who had 138 receiving yards and a touchdown right out of the gate in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil a year ago. This is a critical year for quarterback Jordan Love and the entire passing game, and getting off to a good start against the Lions and Washington Commanders in back-to-back weeks to start the season is important.
Without Reed, Green Bay will have two unproven rookies, but both of whom bring a unique skill set to the offense. To do this, Golden and Williams don’t need to try to emulate Reed. Simply being themselves and playing to their strengths would help fill that void.
The best possible outcome is having Reed for Week 1 at full strength. That’s in doubt at the moment. If Reed misses some time to start the regular season, the Packers have a couple of options to pivot to, but it’s far from a guarantee that it would look the same.