The top-scoring fantasy wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers through the first 16 weeks of the 2023 NFL season has been the impressive rookie Jayden Reed, who currently sits as the WR34 in full-PPR formats.
Unfortunately, Reed is currently dealing with a couple of injuries heading into their matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Here is the latest injury update we have on Reed and what type of impact his injury status could have on the fantasy football outlook of the Packers’ passing game heading into Week 17.
Latest Injury Update on Jayden Reed
Reed missed the first game of his NFL career after failing to practice all last week while dealing with a toe and chest injury. Fortunately for Reed shareholders, the talented rookie was able to return to practice as a limited participant on Wednesday, according to the team’s injury report.
Reed’s improvement from a non-participant for all three practices last week to practicing in a limited capacity is certainly a step in the right direction toward his return to the field in Week 17.
Will Reed Play This Week?
The fact that Reed was listed as questionable heading into last week’s game without participating in practice all of last week and has already managed to get some preparation in this week certainly gives him just as good of a chance as he had last week — if not a better chance — to take the field against the Vikings.
MORE: PFN’s Playoff Predictor Tool
Fantasy managers will want to monitor his workload as we progress throughout the week, but assuming he doesn’t suffer any setbacks with his toe or chest injury before Sunday, then he is certainly on track to return.
What Does This Mean for Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks’ Fantasy Ranking?
Reed has been one of the better all-purpose receivers throughout the 2023 season. The former Michigan State Spartan has 54 receptions for 592 receiving yards this year, but 65 total touches for 711 yards from scrimmage and eight total TDs tell the whole story of why Reed has been the best fantasy producer from this receiver group.
Reed and fellow WR Romeo Doubs have been the most consistent producers in the Packers passing game this season, combining for 34% of Jordan Love’s passing yards this year and scoring a combined 16 touchdowns.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
Doubs’ role in this passing attack feels pretty secure, whether or not Reed is on the field in Week 17. The real question mark surrounds a couple of the other Green Bay wideouts who are currently dealing with injuries heading into Sunday.
Christian Watson appeared to finally be hitting his stride before suffering another hamstring injury back in Week 13, which has consequently forced him to miss the last three games. In addition, Dontayvion Wicks has seen an expanded role over the last three games, but he is dealing with a chest and ankle injury at the moment.
According to the team’s injury report, both Watson and Wicks were non-participants in Wednesday’s practice, which means they are just as uncertain to be active for Week 17 as Reed.
Ultimately, if Reed returns to the field on Sunday, he will be a low-end WR2 for fantasy managers. However, if Reed misses his second straight outing, Doubs will get a boost into top-30 consideration at the WR position for Week 17.
Watson and Wicks both profile as WR4 plays with upside while dealing with their respective injuries.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!