Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Jayden Reed missed his second straight practice on Thursday with a chest injury. However, he did not suffer any sort of setback against Detroit.
“I wouldn’t say setback,” said Reed. “Like I said, just taking it day by day. Trying to get right and go out there on Sunday.”
This is the same injury Reed has been dealing for nearly two full games now. Reed said on Thursday at his locker that he took a hit early on in the Chargers game that he then played through. Reed was on last week’s injury report as well, but did not have an injury designation prior to the Detroit game and played 41 offensive snaps and three on special teams.
“Yeah,” said Reed when asked if his absence was more precautionary.
Reed wouldn’t go into specifics on the exact injury. He is listed with a chest injury, that right now, needs time and rest to heal, which the middle of the week provides.
“Just time,” said Reed when asked about the injury. “Take it day by day. Get treatment and do what I can.
“Whatever the training staff is leading me to do,” added Reed, “I’m just following the plan.”
Playing through injuries is nothing new to Reed. During his college career at Michigan State, he missed only game. From the sounds of it, Reed is hopeful to be on the field this Sunday against Kansas City.
“No, I don’t think so,” said Reed when asked if this injury would affect Sunday. “Just taking it day by day.
”That’s usually how I go about things. I missed one game my whole career. I’ve played with a lot of injuries. Just take it day by day. It’s just what comes with it, I understand that. Just taking care of my body and trying to get it best I can.”
Reed has played a key role in the Packers offensive surge over the last four games. During that span, he has caught 16 of the 20 passes thrown his way 11.4 yards per catch with two touchdowns, and has seen his role expanded, getting designed touches behind the line of scrimmage as well.
Reed has a sixth sense for finding the soft spot in the defense’s coverage and has put his 4.37-speed on display with his yards after the catch abilities.
“11 (Reed) is a playmaker,” said receivers coach Jason Vrable. “He was in college, and he’s been doing that since he’s been here. I think he’s a natural football player, he’s competitive, and yeah, as many times as we can get the ball in those guys’ hands, good things are going to happen.”
Practice reps are valuable for every player, but especially rookies. The growth this young offense as a whole has experienced recently is in large part due to added experience throughout the season. However, if Reed only practices one of the days this week – or even none – Matt LaFleur said that he will still be able to go out there on Sunday and execute the game plan against a stingy Kansas City defense.
“Definitely just lock in more mentally,” said Reed when asked about missing practice reps. “Just know where I’m supposed to be on certain plays. Watch the person in my position or positions. Just know the playbook, study the playbook a little bit more, just so I know where I’m at when I get out there.”
