Green Bay Packers News & Rumors

Many feared the Packers’ season was over before it even got a chance to take off when highly-paid quarterback Jordan Love went down with an apparent leg injury during the final drive of the team’s season opener in Brazil. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, though, in Week 4, Love will attempt to make a return to the field much earlier than expected in an effort to keep his team in the NFC North race.

That goal is made much easier by the fact that backup quarterback Malik Willis has led Green Bay to two straight wins following the season-opening loss. Willis hasn’t been a world-beater as a stand-in passer for the past two weeks, but he’s been an effective enough replacement to secure two wins for his squad.

Willis has been so effective, in fact, that there has been speculation that both Love and Willis could get playing time this week with Love active. This could be an idea that results from slow-playing Love in his return to the field. If they aren’t 100 percent confident that their new franchise passer is ready to return in a safe and healthy way, they likely won’t hesitate to put Willis back in under center.

When Love suffered his injury, there were predictions that he would miss anywhere from three to six weeks, and should he make his return this week, he would beat even the most liberal estimates after only a two-game absence. Two weeks ago, it was reported that Love was aiming for a Week 5 return, and there was even some hope that he might appear last week, but it looks like this weekend will be the time for his comeback.

SEPTEMBER 22: Although the Packers have not yet announced Love’s status, the second-year starter is once again expected to be sidelined, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero note. Considering Week 5 had surfaced as an early Love return window, it is not exactly surprising Green Bay will continue to exercise caution despite its starter’s return to practice. Thus, Willis’ Tennessee return will take on far greater significance. Love has since been declared inactive.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2:15pm: Love practiced on a limited basis once again on Thursday. Head coach Matt LaFleur said the team is prepared to wait until 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday (when inactives are announced) before making a final call, indicating the extent to which Love is a candidate to return in Week 3. His status could still easily change in the coming days, of course, depending on his recovery progress.

9:44am: While Malik Willis won in his Packers debut, Jordan Love‘s ability to return to the lineup remains a key talking point for the team. Green Bay’s starter returned to practice on Wednesday, and he now has at least an outside chance of suiting up in Week 3.

“I’m hopeful that I’ll get to that point where I can get in there,” Love said, via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman (subscription required). The second-year starter practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, and day-to-day evaluations will take place during the immediate future to determine his status. A cautious approach on the team’s part would come as no surprise, of course, but the fact Love could be an option to play on Sunday is notable.

An MCL sprain suffered during the Packers’ season opener led to the expectation of a multi-week absence. A stint on injured reserve was not deemed necessary, though, and a recent update indicated Week 5 was Love’s targeted return date. Even if he does not progress to the point where playing is feasible on Sunday, continued practice time could allow the 25-year-old to return to the lineup in Week 4 after just two missed contests.

Love is currently using a brace, and his mobility over the coming days will be key in determining whether or not he plays against the Titans. If that does not end up being the case, Willis will be in line for a second straight start. A contest against Tennessee would be particularly significant given the fact he began his career there before being traded to Green Bay shortly before the start of the regular season.

Willis – who did not expect to be dealt upon losing the Titans’ backup competition to Mason Rudolph – had a solid, if unspectacular, Packers debut in Week 2. The former third-rounder completed 12 of his 14 pass attempts for 122 yards and one touchdown while adding 41 rushing yards. Willis did not take any sacks or commit any turnovers, and a similar outing would be welcomed by team and player against Tennessee if it were necessary. Plenty will depend on how Love progresses over the coming days before a final decision is made.