GREEN BAY – Much has changed for Jayden Reed since the Packers' third-year receiver last took the field on gameday.
While rehabbing the shoulder and foot injuries that landed him on injured reserve in September, Reed cut his hair and even learned how to cook meals from scratch during his downtime.
"I'm all right. I ain't gonna say I'm the best, but I'm pretty good," Reed said. "I made some chicken bacon ranch pasta yesterday. It was pretty good."
Away from the stove and back at practice, Reed has recovered from the first surgeries he's ever undergone in his career and edging closer to an on-field return for his 8-3-1 football team.
It's been two weeks since the Packers officially designated Reed to return from injured reserve. He's one of four reserve-list players ramping up, along with running back MarShawn Lloyd and defensive linemen Brenton Cox Jr. and Collin Oliver. All three had their 21-day practice windows opened on Monday.
The question now is whether Reed could be back for Sunday's key NFC North matchup with the Chicago Bears. Speaking with reporters Wednesday, Reed said he's done some 11-on-11 work but reiterated the need for team doctors to clear him to play.
Whether Reed is in the cards or not, his Packers teammates are excited at the prospects of getting the team's leading receiver the past two seasons back for the stretch run.
"He brings a certain type of energy and mentality to that receiver room but not only that receiver room but to the offense," running back Josh Jacobs said.
"I know he's itching to get back at it. I was talking to him today actually about just making sure he gets all the reps that he needs to feel like he can go out there and play and not have to think or feel like he's missing a step."
The Packers will be without starting tight end Tucker Kraft (knee), defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (ankle) and likely center Elgton Jenkins (leg) for the rest of the season but also appear to have more reinforcements on the way than just Reed.
Lloyd is officially back on the comeback trail after injuring his groin on a 33-yard reception off a wheel route during the Packers' preseason opener against Indianapolis back in August.
The 2024 third-round pick has played in just one regular-season game in two years due to a myriad of injuries, which finally led to the Packers sending him to a specialist in California to identify the root cause of his recurring soft-tissue issues.
Lloyd didn't want to go into specifics but feels confident about his long-term outlook, adding that he's made changes to his training regimen based on advice he received in California.
"I try to give my all through everything I do," Lloyd said. "The coaches believe in me. They always say that they drafted me for a reason and I'm ready to prove that; show them who they drafted and why they drafted me."
Prior to sustaining a groin injury in this year's opener, Cox provided a lift with 12 tackles and four sacks during the second half of the 2024 season. The third-year veteran could add some depth at edge rusher with Lukas Van Ness still battling a foot injury.
The Packers' active roster is getting healthier, too. Linebacker Quay Walker (neck) was a full participant Thursday while receiver Matthew Golden (wrist), cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee) and defensive lineman Karl Brooks (ankle) are also practicing.
All four missed Green Bay's 31-24 win over Detroit on Thanksgiving. Brooks, in particular, could help ease the burden on a D-line that'll have to go without Wyatt the rest of the way.
"We're getting our pieces back," defensive lineman Colby Wooden said. "Bird's (Reed) coming back. We got guys on offense coming back. We got guys on defense coming back. I know we lost D-Wy – that kind of hurt us but we have guys who'll be able to step up and play ready."
Offensively, the Packers have leaned on their deep receiving corps to offset the void Kraft's injury created. Both Christian Watson (knee) and Dontayvion Wicks (calf) have made game-altering plays since returning over the past two months.
After catching 119 passes and 14 touchdowns over his first two seasons, Reed hopes to provide a similar spark once he receives the green light.
"If I'm out there, I'm out there. That's how I look at it," Reed said. "I've been through enough, so I never doubt myself. I've been through a lot in my life, so at this point, I've always had confidence in everything I do. It's no doubt that I can go out there and play to the best of my ability."
