Jordan Love Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love will not be placed on injured reserve, despite suffering a sprained MCL in his left knee. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed this update on Monday, signaling that Love’s injury, sustained during the final moments of their Week 1 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, is not as severe as initially feared.
Love, who limped off the field late in the game, has since been diagnosed with the knee injury. Although the Packers had concerns about a possible season-ending injury, it has been determined that Love will not require a stint on IR. Instead, Malik Willis, a first-year Packers player, will take over as the starting quarterback in Love’s absence, as LaFleur announced.
Green Bay remains optimistic about their playoff prospects and hopes to have Love return to action sooner rather than later. However, the team is committed to ensuring that they do not rush Love back before he is fully ready. “If he gets cleared, we’ll give him every opportunity like we always will,” LaFleur stated, according to ESPN. “I know he’s doing everything in his power to come back as quickly as possible. But we certainly won’t put him in a position where he can’t protect himself out there.
Love, who signed a lucrative four-year, $220 million contract in the offseason, will not be pressured into returning prematurely. LaFleur emphasized the team’s commitment to Love’s long-term well-being. “We will never put him in a position to sacrifice the short-term for the future,” LaFleur added. “If he can’t protect himself, we would never do that to him or to our football team.”
With Love sidelined, the Packers will rely on Malik Willis, who joined the team from the Tennessee Titans. Willis, selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, has struggled to meet expectations thus far. In his rookie season, Willis started three games but managed only 234 yards, three interceptions, and no touchdowns.
LaFleur explained the decision to start Willis over Sean Clifford, the backup quarterback, by pointing out that Willis is the current No. 2 quarterback on the roster. “If Jordan’s not cleared, then we’ll start Malik and Sean will be the backup,” LaFleur said. “Malik’s on the roster and he’s our No. 2 quarterback, so that’s the direction we’re going.”
As the Packers navigate this period without Love, the focus will be on maximizing Willis’s performance and maintaining the team’s competitive edge. The situation remains fluid, with Love’s potential return closely monitored, but for now, the team will move forward with Willis leading the offense.