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Packers WR Jayden Reed (neck) in hospital overnight but ‘doing much better’

By Thomson Reuters Sep 20, 2026 | 1:36 PM

By Field Level Media

Sep 21 (Field Level Media) – The Green Bay Packers said wide receiver Jayden Reed will spend the night in a New York-area hospital and won’t return home with the team after his scary ​neck injury early in the game against the New York Jets on ‌Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.

After Green Bay’s 20-17 overtime win, Packers coach Matt LaFleur also said that right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele (knee) “could be out for a long time,” after also exiting with an injury early on Sunday.

The receiver posted to X after the game: “Doing much better, appreciate all the prayers ‌and ​support,” with a praying hands emoji and a “Go Pack ⁠Go” hashtag.

Reed and Bako-Bewele sustained their ⁠injuries on the second and third plays from scrimmage.

Reed was braced and placed on a spine board after he caught a swing pass left and took a big hit from two converging defenders. Reed let go of the ball, ​twisted to the ground and medical personnel entered the field of play almost immediately as the receiver went down to the turf.

Within minutes, the entire Packers bench ⁠had come on the field to address Reed, ⁠who was being treated for a head and neck injury. Medical ​personnel loaded Reed onto a cart and he was immediately ruled out of the ​game.

After the game, Packers safety Evan Williams told reporters he could see ‌a little bit of movement from Reed on the spine board.

The Packers lost Bako-Bewele on the very next play. Most of his Green Bay teammates were back on the field to console Bako-Bewele, whose reaction indicated a serious right knee injury.

The veteran’s right ⁠leg was placed in an air cast. Trainers helped get Bako- Bewele on a motorized cart to exit the field, and the Packers ruled him out for the remainder ⁠of the game.

It only got ‌worse for Green Bay’s banged-up offensive line, as left guard ⁠Aaron Banks departed with a toe injury and his replacement, ​Donovan Jennings, ‌left with a hand issue. Banks missed the season ​opener due to ⁠knee tendinitis.

Reed, 26, embarked on his fourth season with the Packers and had three catches for 20 yards in the season-opening loss to Minnesota. Through 42 career games, he has 142 receptions for 1,881 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Bako-Bewele, 27, previously known as Zach Tom, is in his fifth season with the Packers and his fourth season as a ​starting tackle.

(–Field Level Media)