Packers-Vikings Wednesday Injury Report: Jayden Reed Returns

The Green Bay Packers practiced for the first time in advance of Sunday’s must-win showdown at the Minnesota Vikings. Here is the early injury outlook.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – While suspended Jaire Alexander was one of four Green Bay Packers starters who didn’t practice on Wednesday, two injured starters were back on the practice field as the team began its prep for Sunday’s showdown at the Minnesota Vikings.

Rookie receiver Jayden Reed was inactive for the victory over the Carolina Panthers because of a build-up of bumps and bruises that included a toe injury.

Officially, Reed was limited participation. The Packers, like the Vikings, held a walk-through practice so all participation levels were estimations.

“He went out there and he looked good,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “It was kind of a lighter practice today. It was more jog-through. We did have a short individual period just to get a gauge to see where some guys were at, get a couple looks at some full-speed reps.”

Helping to pick up the slack last week was Dontayvion Wicks, who scored a 21-yard touchdown just before halftime but sustained a chest injury that knocked him out for the second half. Wicks, while on the field, did not practice.

Getting both of those players on the field for the primetime showdown would provide a lift against the Vikings, who have one of the better defenses in the NFL. They are eighth in the NFL in yards allowed per play.

That’s especially true if big-play receiver Christian Watson is out again. Watson, who missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, went through the pre-practice stretch and had his helmet but was not on the field for the start of practice.

Musgrave is practicing. Reed, Wicks and Savage are too.

No Watson, Jenkins or Campbell for start of practice. pic.twitter.com/Smh6DZv7Oy

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) December 27, 2023

Along with Alexander, Wicks and Watson, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell (neck) and left guard Elgton Jenkins (shoulder) did not practice. Jenkins has been getting a day off for the past handful of weeks so that’s probably the case this time, as well. Campbell was inactive last week after saying he’d no longer be playing through injuries.

“I’d say it’s still day-to-day,” LaFleur said. “It’s still day-to-day. We all know the kind of warrior he is and his ability to endure and battle through, but I’d say it’s day-to-day.”

The second injured starter to return to practice was safety Darnell Savage, who was inactive last week with a shoulder injury.

Also of note, rookie tight end Luke Musgrave went through some blocking drills while reporters were present. While he was designated for return from injured reserve last week, he didn’t actually practice as the team brings him back slowly from a lacerated kidney.

“Internal organs are definitely a little bit different than your normal football injury,” he said last week. “But good people, good team, a lot of good stuff to say about the training room. It was good, and I think we’re on the right track.”

The Vikings have their own injury issues with tight end T.J. Hockenson and outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum suffering season-ending injuries against the Lions. Hockenson and Wonnum were placed on season-ending injured reserve. Plus, explosive rookie receiver Jordan Addison suffered an ankle injury against Detroit that has him iffy for Sunday night. He did not participate on Wednesday.

At FanDuel Sportsbook, the line moved from Vikings by 2.5 to 1.5 on their abundance of injury news; the line moved to 2 after the Alexander news.

Packers Suspend Alexander for Going Rogue for Coin Toss

Packers Wednesday Injury Report

DNP: WR Christian Watson (hamstring), WR Dontayvion Wicks (chest), LB De’Vondre Campbell (neck), LG Elgton Jenkins (shoulder).

Limited: LB Quay Walker (shoulder), WR Jayden Reed (toe/chest), CB Robert Rochell (neck), S Darnell Savage (shoulder), RB AJ Dillon (thumb), RB Aaron Jones (knee/finger), S Jonathan Owens (knee), OLB Kingsley Enagbare (toe), TE Luke Musgrave (kidney), DT TJ Slaton (knee/foot).

Vikings Wednesday Injury Report

DNP: WR Jordan Addison (ankle), CB Makhi Blackmon (shoulder/illness), S Theo Jackson (toe), CB Byron Murphy (knee), WR Jalen Nailor (concussion), DT Jaquelin Roy (ankle).

Limited: DT Sheldon Day (ankle), LB Troy Dye (wrist), RB Alexander Mattison (ankle), DT Harrison Phillips (back).

Full: RT Brian O’Neill (ankle) LB Ivan Pace (shoulder).