GREEN BAY – Dontayvion Wicks watched Jayden Reed pour everything he had into preparation for this third NFL campaign.
The two Packers receivers, who train together in the offseason, had big plans for the upcoming year when they returned for the start of the team's offseason program.
While Wicks aimed to bounce back from an up-and-down 2024, Reed looked to build on early NFL success that saw him lead the Packers in receiving during each of his first two seasons.
However, a foot fracture sidelined the 5-foot-11, 189-pound wideout for the latter half of training camp. A testament to his toughness, Reed did everything he could to get back on the field for the start of the regular season.
For those reasons and many more, it was tough for Wicks to see his close friend succumb to another setback last Thursday when Reed broke his clavicle on the opening drive vs. Washington.
He did so while laying out to make a marvelous catch on what would've been a 39-yard touchdown on third-and-9 if not for a holding penalty. Reed underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair both his shoulder and foot.
"When you take somebody out of the room like that and he gets hurt, it brings the group down," Wicks said. "But you also build up from the preparation being put in and all the work we put in as a group. Here, it's really next man up. But the leader 'Bird' is, you can't really bring that back with him not being (on the field)."
There is no "Win one for the 'Birdman'" rallying cry or anything like that heading into Sunday's game against Cleveland, but Reed's injury has served as motivation for Wicks to build on a strong start to a hopeful bounce-back season.
Last year was an exercise in resiliency for Wicks, who battled drops and patches of inconsistency after jumping on the scene as a rookie fifth-round pick in 2023.
He caught 39 passes for the second straight year but saw his output dip from 581 receiving yards (14.9 yards per catch) during his rookie season to 415 in Year 2 (10.6 ypc).
Putting a summertime calf injury behind him, Wicks has looked more like himself through the first two games. He has six catches for 74 yards, all of which have produced first downs.
"I've just been around the ball a little bit more and preparing to be in those positions," Wicks said. "That was a big goal for me this year – no matter what comes, make the play. Confidence, I think it's been there. It's just keeping building from those plays I've been making this year and also in practice."
In addition to snagging third-down catches against both Detroit and Washington, Wicks brought his trademark physicality as a downfield blocker in the run game.
"He's done an outstanding job," Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. "Not only obviously catching the football, but since he's been here, he's been one of best blockers as well, from that position as well. He plays physical. He plays tough, so I'm really excited about how he's performed up to this point."
The Packers face an interesting test this Sunday against the Browns, who boast the league's top defense (191.5 yards per game), No. 1 run defense (45.5 ypg) and third-ranked pass defense (146.0 ypg).
Cleveland have played a league-high 46% of its defensive snaps this season in man coverage with one single-high safety over the top.
It's a challenge but also an opportunity for Green Bay's explosive downfield passing game. Wicks, in particular, has caught five of his eight targets this year against man coverage, according to Pro Football Focus.
"One-on-one, so it's really up to you if you make the play or not. I look at that as a plus," Wicks said. "I don't think DBs know where we're going. It's always fun when you know you got man, and you got a man-beater route. Them going man, it's good for us. We want to win. We preach win. It's gonna be fun."
Filling Reed's shoes isn't only on Wicks. Rookie draft picks Matthew Golden and Savion Williams have carved out roles in the offense while third-year wideout Malik Heath made arguably the catch of the season so far on his 37-yard catch in the win over the Commanders.
The Packers also are hopeful to get Christian Watson back soon. The fourth-year receiver remains on the physically unable to perform list after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in last year's regular-season finale against Chicago but is eligible to practice again following Green Bay's Week 5 bye.
After fighting through trying times last year, it does feel good for Wicks to be back in an early-season rhythm again. He also knows he has one of his biggest supporters close by in Reed, whom Wicks still talks to every day.
"He's been in good spirits. He just believes in all of us," Wicks said. "He knows we're going to step up and make that play for the team. … Also, he's got a chance to come back and play. That's big. It's not season-ending, so we'll see him back."
