While additional tests on Jayden Reed’s ribs turned out fine, the Green Bay Packers’ record-setting rookie receiver potentially will not be available for Sunday’s playoffs-or-bust game against the Chicago Bears.
On Monday morning, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said initial X-rays were negative but further tests were scheduled. A source told Packer Central that those tests were clean. Nonetheless, as Rapoport said, Reed’s status for Week 18 is “in doubt.”
However, the importance of the game and Reed’s toughness could get him on the field for the win-and-in finale. His toughness and competitiveness is why coach Matt LaFleur has called him “war daddy.”
Reed said he was injured when he fielded a punt and was crushed after calling for a late fair catch with 1:47 remaining in the first half.
Nonetheless, Reed, who has battled an assortment of injuries throughout the second half of the season, was on the field for the final drives of the half. On first-and-14 from the 8, Jordan Love hit Reed for a gain of 10 to help overcome a holding penalty. On third-and-1, Love overthrew Reed on a deep shot.
Moments later, Preston Smith’s sack/strip gave the Packers another chance. On second-and-10 from the Vikings’ 25, Love hit Reed over the middle. He ran through a tackle attempt by star safety Harrison Smith at the 22, then carried the other safety, Josh Metellus, the final 8 yards for his second touchdown of the night.
“That’s all Jordan trusting me and trusting me to make a play,” Reed said. “I tried to run the best route I could. He didn’t have bad coverage on it, so Jordan trusted me and I just ran through the smoke and scored.”
The touchdown made it 23-3 at halftime.
“Jayden Reed did a hell of a job on that play, and he’s been battling all season, just fighting through,” LaFleur said. “He’s had a lot of pain, let’s just put it that way. For him to go out there and put on a performance like that was huge, coming away with two touchdowns. And just seeing how gritty he is, he’s as tough as they come.”
Reed went through some tests at the stadium and was ruled out for the second half.
“I definitely wish I could’ve stayed out a little longer,” Reed said.
“It’s just all mental,” he added of playing through pain for the touchdown. “You’ve got to be mentally tough to play.”
Reed entered the game with 54 catches, one behind Sterling Sharpe for the franchise rookie record. He tied the record with a 6-yard catch and broke Sharpe’s mark on a 0-yard catch.
“It’s a blessing but the win is better,” Reed said. “Couldn’t have done it (without) the guys around me. All I care about is the ‘W’ at the end of the day.”
One play later, he got open deep for a 33-yard touchdown.
“They kind of disguised and went to a Cover-2-ish coverage and we had four verts on,” Love said. “I knew I was going to have J-Reed right there. Kind of didn’t see him at first, where he was at, and then he came into my vision, so I just let it out there, let him go get it. It was an awesome play.”
Of this year’s rookie receiver class, Reed is tied for fifth with 60 receptions, is seventh with 681 yards and is second with eight touchdowns. For the Packers, he is No. 1 in receptions and yards and tied with Romeo Doubs for No. 1 in touchdowns.
Among all receivers, Reed and Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb are No. 1 with seven slot touchdowns.
“Man, that’s all God,” Reed said. “Put my faith in God and work hard, have a different mindset. Just being coachable. I’m a very coachable kid. I think I’m mature for my age and I think I’m beyond my age a little bit as far as maturity goes and being coachable. That’s all it really it takes and people around you that trust you, great teammates that push you to go hard and coaches that push you to go hard every day. That’s just how it happened.”
Reed suffered a chest injury against the Chargers in Week 11. He played through it in that game and the next three games. Next, he fought through an ankle injury in Week 15. Finally, he was inactive for Week 16 at Carolina because of an injured toe.
“We’re hopeful he’ll be all right for next week,” LaFleur said. “I know if there’s anybody that can get through it, it’s him.”
