The Green Bay Packers have had reason for excitement and frustration heading into the season at the receiver position. Rookie Matthew Golden is leaving room to wonder if Jordan Love finally has a star target at the position. So much of what has held the Packers back the past two seasons is the one guy who is going to find a way to get open and make a play when the offense needs it most. As much talent as Green Bay might have at the position, the franchise lacks one truly elite option.
Golden hopes to provide this and be a bright spot at a position that has been hampered by injuries early in the season. Bringing us to Jayden Reed and one of the biggest reasons for fan frustration at the position. Throughout the end of camp and the preseason, Reed spent a lot of time in a walking boot with an injury that lacked a clear timeline.
Packers Fans Have Reason for Concern When It Comes to Jayden Reed's Injury Status
Reed has lost the boot and appeared to be nearing a comeback into the lineup. However, the receiver is still sitting out of practice according to Cameron Ezeir, who pointed out that this was by design. Yet this makes it impossible to tell whether Reed is going to be able to return in Week 1, or if this is simply the Packers' way of protecting from a negative injury update. Either avenue could be accepted, with fans simply lacking clarity about where exactly Reed is in rehab.
What is so frustrating about the entire picture is the lack of clarity the Packers are providing fans. Reed is an incredibly important piece to have on the field when Sunday night's rivalry game kicks off. To beat the Lions, Green Bay is going to need an A+ game from Love, and this means having his full group of weapons together. However, this is very much in doubt due to the lack of clarity when it comes to how close Reed might be to a return.
It will put extra pressure on the Packers' quarterback to make plays and create offense, already missing one key receiver. Having Reed out of the lineup does give Golden a chance for a hot start, one that established him as Green Bay's primary target against a great Detroit team.
Regardless, the Packers faithful deserve a clearer answer on Reed's status and why the up-and-down reports have seemingly contradicted the timeline of an expected return. There is yet to be a clear answer as to what the path is going to be moving forward, leaving the pass catcher's status in limbo.
There is a chance this is being done on purpose in hopes it helps shake the Lions as they prepare for Sunday's game. It is either this or that the Packers simply don't yet know what Reed is going to be able to provide in the first weeks of the season. Leaving Green Bay fans confused about what exactly they can expect moving forward.