The Green Bay Packers' offense needs a spark, and Jayden Reed could soon become the receiver to provide it.
Reed hasn't played since the Packers' Week 2 victory over the Washington Commanders. He had already battled through a foot injury but suffered a broken collarbone in the game, resulting in double surgery to fix both issues.
His return is nearing, and Reed just dropped an image on X (formerly Twitter) of himself in full Packers uniform walking down the tunnel. It's clearly not a new image, and likely from the Week 2 game as he's wearing the "Winter Warning" uniforms, but the timing of the post likely isn't an accident.
Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed's post hints at his imminent return from injury
On Monday, a reporter asked head coach Matt LaFleur whether any injured players could have their 21-day return windows opened this week. LaFleur smiled and said, "I sure as heck hope so." That was already a hint, not just for Reed, but also for running back MarShawn Lloyd.
Reed's return could change everything for Green Bay's offense. No Packers player had more receptions (119), receiving yards (1,650), or receiving touchdowns (14) than Reed during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He was the Packers' leading receiver both years.
He made an electric start to last season before injuries slowed him down, catching 38 passes for 643 yards and four touchdowns in the opening 10 games. Now fresh and healthy for the latter stages of this season, the hope is that he can recapture that magic when it matters the most.
The Packers have basically no yards-after-catch potential after Tucker Kraft's season-ending injury, but Reed can help change that. He led the team in YAC in 2023, and only Kraft and Josh Jacobs had more than he did last season.
His return will help open up the rest of the passing game. It's unclear exactly when it will happen, and we may not see him for the next game or two, but Reed's return seems closer than ever.