The Green Bay Packers are getting healthier at just the right time - and not just with depth pieces. Over the past few weeks, they’ve designated several key players to return from injured reserve or the physically unable to perform list. If all goes well, some could be activated to the 53-man roster as early as this week.
For a team with playoff aspirations, this kind of late-season talent infusion is rare - and potentially game-changing. Among the names making their way back, one stands out above the rest: Jayden Reed.
Jayden Reed: A Difference-Maker Returns
Reed isn’t just another receiver coming off the injury list. He’s been the heartbeat of Green Bay’s passing attack since arriving in the league.
The third-year wideout led the team in receiving yards in each of his first two seasons and was off to a strong start in 2025, even while gutting through a partially broken foot. That tells you a lot about his toughness - and his value.
The injury bug bit hard this season, and not just Reed. Tight end Tucker Kraft went down with a torn ACL, stripping the Packers of another key weapon in the middle of the field. Suddenly, an offense that started the year loaded with yards-after-catch threats found itself short on players who could break tackles and turn short throws into big gains.
Reed’s absence was felt immediately. But even while injured, he delivered moments that reminded everyone of his playmaking ability.
Case in point: the play where he fractured his collarbone - a 39-yard touchdown grab that was wiped out by a holding penalty. It didn’t count on the scoreboard, but it was a clear snapshot of what Reed brings to the table.
Now, the Packers are hoping to get that dynamic version of Reed back - and soon. He’s expected to return to action this Sunday, and if that holds, it could be a massive boost for an offense that’s been finding its rhythm without one of its most explosive pieces.
What It Means for the Packers
Green Bay’s passing game has been quietly improving in recent weeks, but it’s been doing so without a consistent YAC threat. Reed changes that calculus.
He’s the kind of receiver who can turn a five-yard slant into a 50-yard sprint. His return gives Jordan Love a reliable target who not only gets open but also makes things happen after the catch.
And it’s not just about the numbers. Reed’s presence forces defenses to adjust.
Safeties have to respect his speed. Linebackers have to think twice before drifting too far from the middle of the field.
That opens up opportunities for everyone else - from the running backs to the tight ends to the other young receivers still finding their footing.
In a tightly contested NFC playoff race, every edge matters. And getting a playmaker like Reed back on the field? That’s more than just an edge - it’s a potential turning point.
If Reed is anywhere near 100%, the Packers’ offense just got a lot more dangerous.