GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed suffered a broken collarbone during the first quarter of a 27-18 victory over the Washington Commanders on September 11, 2025, yet his attempt to play through the pain before exiting has ignited a wave of admiration on X. The injury, confirmed by coach Matt LaFleur, has sidelined the 23-year-old star, with fans rallying behind their WR1 as he faces a recovery timeline stretching into late October.
The injury occurred early in the game when Reed, targeted on a deep pass from Jordan Love, landed awkwardly after a 14-yard catch initially ruled a touchdown but later nullified. Clutching his right shoulder, he stayed in for two more plays before heading to the locker room. “Jayden’s a fighter; this one hurts us all,” LaFleur told reporters post-game. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the collarbone fracture, noting Reed is expected to miss at least six weeks, with surgery likely.
A Rising Star’s Setback
Reed, a 2023 second-round pick from Michigan State, has been a cornerstone of Green Bay’s offense, leading the team with 1,112 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. His speed and clutch catches made him a fan favorite, and his grit against Washington—trying to gut it out despite visible pain—only deepened that bond. “Jayden Reed’s toughness is unreal,” posted X user @GridironGuru, a sentiment echoed across 70,000 views of game highlights.
X Rallies for Reed
The injury news, shared by @packers, sparked an outpouring on X. “Get well soon, Jayden! We need you for the playoffs!” wrote @PackFan4Life, one of 46,000 likes on related posts. Others, like @NFL_DovKleiman, praised Reed’s leadership, noting his pre-game hype speech to teammates. The emotional weight hit harder as Reed’s injury coincided with Washington’s Austin Ekeler suffering a suspected Achilles tear in the same game, amplifying discussions about the NFL’s physical toll.
Packers Pivot to Rookies
With Reed sidelined, Green Bay will lean on rookie Matthew Golden and veterans like Christian Watson to fill the void. LaFleur remained optimistic, stating, “We’ve got guys ready to step up, but Jayden’s energy is irreplaceable.” The Packers, now 2-0, face the Indianapolis Colts next, with Reed’s absence testing their depth.
As Reed begins recovery, his resilience has turned a painful moment into a rallying cry. “He’ll be back stronger,” teammate Aaron Jones told ESPN, echoing the hope fueling X posts. With the NFL season heating up, Reed’s journey from this setback promises to keep fans glued to his comeback story.