The Green Bay Packers need all of their offensive weapons possible if they are going to continue to thrive offensively against one of the top defenses in the NFL right now when they face the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon.
All week long, there has been speculation surrounding the health of several key offensive players, including WR Christian Watson and TE Luke Musgrave, who were both announced active for the must-win divisional matchup over the last few days.
Those announcements were huge for the Green Bay Packers, who have found a way to find success as the 7th offense in the NFL right now without two of their top offensive playmakers.
But their absence also opened the door for other players to shine — and over the last month — WR Jayden Reed has become arguably the Packers top offensive weapon.
While Reed doesn‘t have eye-popping numbers, it’s clear Matt LaFleur and the offensive staff has slowly learned how dangerous his versatility is — and as the season has progressed — he’s taken on a bigger role.

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The rookie out of Michigan State currently has 60 receptions for 681 yards, 8 touchdowns and is averaging 11.4 yards per catch. But his speed and shifty style of play gives Green Bay Packers the ability to utilize him in creative situations, so he’s added another 11 carries for 119 yards and two touchdowns as a rusher.
Most notably, Reed has played some of his best football over his last three games. In last week’s critical game against the Minnesota Vikings, Reed was the highest-rated player in the entire game, recording 6 receptions on 8 targets, for 89 yards and two touchdowns, while averaging 14.8 yards per reception.
In the week prior when the Packers fell to the Buccaneers, Reed recorded another 6 catches for 52 yards and a touchdown.
And while he only had 27 yards on his 8 receptions against the New York Giants, he was critical as a rusher against an aggressive defense, finishing the game with 4 carries for 38 yards and a touchdown.
Another bright spot who has filled the void at WR is the Packers’ dynamic rookie out of Virginia, Dontayvion Wicks, who has become another one of Jordan Love’s favorite targets as of late. In last week’s victory over Minnesota Wicks capitalized on his two targets, catching both for 29 yards and a touchdown.
In the week prior, he had his best game of the year in terms of yardage, finishing the loss to the Bucs with 6 receptions on 7 targets for 97 yards.
Green Bay Packers Get Great News About Jayden Reed And Dontayvion Wicks

The status of both Reed and Weeks has been uncertain all week.
Reed was listed as questionable all week with a chest injury that he was managing in Weeks 16 and 17. However, Reed has practiced in every session this week, albeit in a limited capacity.
HIs status has been unknown and there was a legitimate chance he wouldn’t be able to suit up in the Packers biggest game of the yer.
The Packers have been far more coy concerning Jayden Reed’s injury. He has been managing this injury for close to a month and managed to play through it for the most part — he did not play in Week 16, but that was primarily due to a toe injury.

Dontayvion Wicks missed Week 16 due to a chest issue, but he managed to log a full practice on Thursday, which gave Green Bay Packers fans hope, but there wasn’t an official announcement like the one that came on Saturday saying Musgrave was active vs. the Chicago Bears.
Just hours before kickoff, the Pack received the best news possible.
In the late window …
Officially active: Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Khalil Herbert, Jordyn Brooks.
Officially inactive: Zack Martin, Tyler Smith, Christian Watson, D'Andre Swift, Jaylon Johnson.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 7, 2024
NFL Insider Tom Pelissero reported both Reed and Wicks will be active against Chicago, while also noting Bears star running back Khalil Herbert will be suiting up for their division rival.
It will be interesting to see how LaFleur uses all of his offensive weapons with the unit coming into the biggest game of the year the healthiest it’s been in a long time.