BREAKING: Green Bay Packers UNLEASH Jayden Reed, Confirm His High-Stakes Return for Rivalry Doubleheader.
GREEN BAY, WI – In a timely boost for a Packers offense reeling from season-ending injuries, Green Bay has confirmed the anticipated return of dynamic wide receiver Jayden Reed. According to reports from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein, the team is eyeing either Thanksgiving Day against the Detroit Lions or December 7 versus the Chicago Bears as Reed’s triumphant comeback dates. This high-stakes re-entry couldn’t come at a better moment, as the Packers gear up for a brutal division showdown stretch that could define their playoff aspirations.
Reed’s absence since fracturing his collarbone in Week 2 has been a glaring void in Green Bay’s aerial attack. But in a twist of silver linings, the star slot receiver emerges not just healed, but potentially revitalized. Prior to his upper-body setback, Reed had been grinding through a nagging Jones fracture in his foot – a pain point that hampered his explosiveness early in the campaign. Now, with double surgery addressing both issues, Silverstein reveals that Reed’s foot is “completely healed,” positioning him for a fresher, fiercer version of the playmaker who terrorized defenses last season.
“Losing Tucker Kraft for the year is a gut punch – no question,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged in a recent presser, alluding to the tight end’s irreplaceable yards-after-catch (YAC) prowess. “But getting Jayden back? That’s the kind of spark we need to flip the script down the stretch.”
A Perfect Storm for Division Domination
The timing is poetic, bordering on predestined. Starting in Week 13, four of Green Bay’s final six regular-season games pit them against NFC North foes – a gauntlet that includes back-to-back bloodbaths with the Lions and Bears. Reed’s return injects adrenaline into an offense that’s been patchwork at best, piecing together contributions amid a slew of ailments.
Kraft’s departure leaves a massive hole in the YAC department. Last year, Reed’s blistering 380 yards after the catch ranked third on the team, trailing only the departed Kraft and running back Josh Jacobs. No current Packers skill player – save the backs – matches Reed’s ability to turn short dumps into house calls. His elusiveness in the slot will force defenses to account for underneath threats, opening lanes for deep shots to a resurgent Christian Watson, who’s just returned from his own injury layoff.
Moreover, Reed’s extended downtime could yield dividends in endurance. Last season, he erupted out of the gates: 38 receptions for 643 yards and four scores through the air, plus 105 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground in his first 10 games. Fully rested and unencumbered by that pesky foot issue, expect Reed to reclaim his role as Jordan Love’s go-to safety valve, manufacturing mismatches and extending chains on third downs.
Tactical Shifts and Fresh Firepower
Reed’s slot mastery isn’t just about his own highlight-reel runs; it reshapes the entire receiving corps. With Reed locked inside, second-year speedster Matthew Golden can slide predominantly to the boundary. Golden’s prior snaps were split between inside and outside alignments, diluting his impact. Now, unleashed on the perimeter alongside Watson, Golden’s track-star athleticism could ignite more vertical fireworks – think go routes and posts that stretch secondaries thin.
The ripple effects extend further. Jacobs, the thunderous runner acquired in the offseason, has soldiered through his own bumps and bruises, while rookie Dontayvion Wicks languishes on the sideline with a lingering issue. Watson, eased back via snap counts, is still shaking off rust. Reed’s infusion provides the offensive coordinator with lineup flexibility, allowing LaFleur to dial up more aggressive play-calling without overtaxing a depleted depth chart.
“Jayden’s that X-factor,” Love said post-practice. “His energy changes everything – the huddle, the routes, the vibes. We’re building toward that Lions game like it’s Game 7.”
Hurdles Ahead, But Momentum Building
Of course, the road to redemption isn’t paved with cheese curds. Before the division inferno ignites, Green Bay must conquer a treacherous trio: the high-octane Philadelphia Eagles, a gritty New York Giants squad fighting for relevance, and a Vikings team licking its wounds but always dangerous at home. Win out those three, and Reed’s debut could propel the Packers into NFC North contention with a head of steam.
At 6-3 entering Week 10 (pending Sunday’s result), the Packers sit second in the division, trailing Detroit by a game. A healthy Reed tips the scales, transforming a banged-up unit into a balanced beast capable of postseason runs. Fans at Lambeau are buzzing – green and gold banners already waving in anticipation of the “rivalry doubleheader” that could etch Reed’s name deeper into Packers lore.
Stay tuned to Packers Nation for updates as Reed’s rehab hits its final strides. The unleash is imminent. Go Pack Go.
Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland Poignant Final Twitter Post Before Shocking Death
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Marshawn Kneeland #DL41 of Western Michigan participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine before he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.
Second-year Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was not one to leave a major social media path but before his stunning death at age 24 this week, which the Cowboys announced on Thursday morning, he posted one of the great highlights of his life: The moment he was drafted to Dallas.
Kneeland’s most recent post on Instagram dates back to April 2024, when he was chosen by the Cowboys in the second round of the NFL draft. He also posted an especially poignant message a year ago on Twitter/X.
Last year on Twitter/X, Kneeland reposted and commented on a photo from his former defensive line coach at Western Michigan David Denham, who posted a photo of some of his players with the caption, “Always a great evening when the guys come over!
Kneeland wrote, in May of 2024, “Enjoy this. It goes by fast.”
Cowboys Announced Marshawn Kneeland Death at 9:35 a.m. Thursday
The moment is imbued with an extra bit of weight and gravity given the death of Kneeland. Int he wake of announcing the tragedy at 9:35 a.m. ET, the Cowboys wrote in a statement: “It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
On Instagram, his final post was that of him being drafted in 2024.
The video clip shows Cowboys executive Will McClay on the phone to Kneeland, telling him someone wants to speak with him. McClay then hands the phone to owner Jerry Jones, who said, “Marshawn, well first of all, we’re gonna put a star on that helmet. Sure had a lot of really complimentary things that have been said about you over the last few weeks since we’ve been in this evaluation process but we are excited about you, being a Dallas Cowboy.”
To which, Kneeland replied: “For sure, thank you.”
Agent Confirms Marshawn Kneeland Death
Additionally, Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, confirmed the death of his Cowboys client.
“I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night,” Perzley said in a statement. “I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys. Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field. To lose someone with his talent, spirit and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words.
“My heart aches for his family, his teammates and everyone who loved him, and I hope they feel the support of the entire football community during this unimaginable time. I ask that you please give his loved ones the privacy and compassion they need as they grieve this tremendous loss.”
