The Green Bay Packers’ first drive of their Week 2 game against the New York Jets was an unmitigated disaster. The Packers received the opening kickoff and started with the football, but immediately went three-and-out, punting the ball away to the Jets after just three plays.
However, it’s what else happened on those three plays that will reverberate through the organization for the foreseeable future.
After catching a screen pass on second down, wide receiver Jayden Reed took an awkward hit up high and immediately fell to the ground. Reed appeared to be knocked out during the play, and he needed to be put on a stretcher and carted off the field. The Packers quickly ruled him out for the remainder of the game, citing a neck injury, putting the wide receiver depth immediately into question.
After a lengthy delay, the Packers’ third down play was unsuccessful and the team lost another starter to an injury that appears to be very serious. This time it was right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele, who has been dealing with issues in his right knee since injuring it late last season. While engaged on a block, his knee appeared to give out again, and he was also carted off the field. His right leg was placed in an air cast during his transport, and he also was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
With Reed out, Skyy Moore has taken over his snaps as the team’s primary slot receiver. Meanwhile, Anthony Belton has come on at right tackle in Bako-Bewele’s place.
Both Reed and Bako-Bewele signed new contract extensions within the last 16 months; Reed inked a 3-year extension this offseason, while Bako-Bewele agreed to a big new deal in July 2025. If either player is forced to miss significant time, it will be a major blow to the Packers’ offense.
