With Jayden Reed battling a lingering Jones fracture in his foot and now dealing with a shoulder injury suffered in Week 2, the Packers’ wide receiver depth is suddenly in question. Reed’s status is uncertain, and Green Bay may be forced to look for immediate help from its practice squad.
One option is Will Sheppard, a former Colorado Buffalo who played under Deion Sanders in 2024. Sheppard went undrafted in April’s NFL Draft despite a productive college career that included 200 receptions, 2,688 yards, and 27 touchdowns across five seasons at Vanderbilt and Colorado. He also participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he earned valuable exposure against NFL-caliber talent.
Sheppard made a strong first impression in Green Bay this summer, catching a touchdown in the Packers’ opening preseason game. That performance highlighted the same reliability and red-zone presence that made him a trusted target for Sanders at Colorado.
The Packers’ need for reinforcements could be amplified by the continued absence of Christian Watson, who is still recovering from an ACL injury and isn’t expected back until midseason or later. Without Reed or Watson, the team’s passing game leans heavily on Romeo Doubs and a rotating cast of young receivers.
Jayden Reed #packers
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) September 12, 2025
Lands directly in his right shoulder. Common mechanism for an AC joint injury/clavicle fracture. He’s not swinging his arm as he runs off the field. Hope he’s okay
Of note, he dislocated this shoulder last year and did not have surgery. pic.twitter.com/Kb4pNwZAoT
For Sheppard, the opportunity to move from the practice squad to the active roster would be a natural extension of the underdog storyline that has defined his career. From proving himself in the SEC at Vanderbilt, to thriving under Sanders’ high-pressure spotlight in Boulder, to fighting for a roster spot after going undrafted, Sheppard has consistently risen to each challenge.
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