Earlier this off-season the Green Bay Packers signed wide receiver Jayden Reed to a three-year $50.25 million contract extension. With this deal in place, Reed has the assurance that he is, indeed, part of Green Bay’s plans going forward. After the Packers selected Matthew Golden and Savion Williams in the 2025 NFL Draft, there were some, including Reed, who did not know if the wide receiver fit into the team’s future plans.
Last season, Reed had 19 receptions for 207 yards and one touchdown in just seven games. His season was limited due to a broken clavicle suffered in Week Two that required surgery.
According to Dr. Drew Burdi, that procedure may have saved Reed’s career and made his contract extension possible.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed tried to play through a Jones fracture
Last week, Wisconsin Sports Heroics spoke with Dr. Burdi, who is board-certified podiatrist and former college football player at Western Michigan.
As Packers fans know, Reed was planning on playing through a Jones fracture in 2025, but his broken clavicle required surgery, and he decided to have his foot repaired in the same surgery.
Dr. Burdi believes that saved his career. “Playing through a Jones fracture can be a career ender,” Dr. Burdi said. “If you think about the pressure you’re putting on the bone, every step can separate the fracture even more. The lack of blood flow makes healing slower.”
The good news, though, according to the doctor is that, “Generally speaking, once healed, it’s usually stronger than it was before.”
This is certainly a positive report for fans who will see Reed on the team for the next four years (he is playing in the final year of his rookie contract this season, and the extension will kick in for the 2027 season).
Reed, of course, was the Packers’ leading receiver as a rookie in 2023 and again in 2024. He is one of just four players in franchise history to have 100 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns in his first two seasons. The other three were James Lofton, Sterling Sharpe, and Romeo Doubs.
Other Green Bay Packers returning from foot injuries should be fine
Of course, Reed is not the only player on Green Bay’s roster hoping to have a better 2026 season after foot injuries in 2025. Lukas Van Ness had a mysterious foot injury that limited his playing time, and Devonte Wyatt suffered a fractured leg and torn ligaments in his ankle.
On Van Ness, Dr. Burdi did not have a clear opinion about his foot health as the Packers never divulged the nature of his injury. However, he did express optimism that, with an entire off-season healing, he will be fine regardless of what it was.
Wyatt, too, got a good outlook from Dr. Burdi. Of course, many fans worry that a serious injury such as his will affect the way he plays going forward. However, “It shouldn’t affect his play, especially with the entire off-season to heal.”
Dr. Burdi said that, down the road, Wyatt will likely have arthritis in his ankles, but there is no immediate concern. Due to his size, there is always a risk for re-injury, but oftentimes repaired ligaments are stronger than they were before. The fibula fracture should be considered as “no concern” moving forward.
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