The playing statuses of Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks are up in the air, but the Green Bay Packers should return rookie receiver Jayden Reed for Sunday night’s must-win game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Reed, who is second on the team in receptions and tied for first in touchdowns, missed last week’s win over the Carolina Panthers with toe and chest injuries. The rookie receiver has been back on the practice field each of the last two days and is expecting to play Sunday night.
“I was full go today. I feel really good,” Reed said Thursday. “I’m just ready to be back out there with the guys and go out there and get the job done…I feel a lot better and I’m ready to go.”
Reed has 54 catches for 592 yards and six touchdowns and 11 rushes for 119 yards and two scores over 14 games. Last week was the first missed game of his NFL career.
“Definitely itching to go back out there on Sunday, in this caliber of game,” Reed said.
The Packers must beat the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium to keep their season alive. Watson and Wicks both haven’t practiced this week, complicating their path to playing on Sunday night. If neither can go, more will be asked of Reed in the playmaking department.
Reed said he’s excited to get back on the field and compete in a big game.
In the first meeting with the Vikings, Reed caught four passes for 83 yards, but he was also the target on Jordan Love’s lone interception. Since the Week 8 loss to the Vikings, Reed has scored touchdowns in five of the last seven games and has solidified himself as one of the offense’s top playmakers.
Could Sunday night be another breakout game opportunity? The Vikings are dealing with several injuries at cornerback, and the defense’s top slot cornerback — Byron Murphy — hasn’t practiced each of the last two days. Expect Reed to be a top target for Love on Sunday night.