Packers QB Jordan Love Clears Concussion Protocol; Clayton Tune To Start In Week 18
Packers quarterback Jordan Love has cleared concussion protocol, but head coach Matt LaFleur will rest his starter in Week 18. With the 9-6-1 Packers locked into the seventh seed in the NFC, they will start third-stringer Clayton Tune against the Vikings on Sunday (via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic).
Love suffered his head injury in a 22-16 loss to the Bears in Week 16. Backup Malik Willis impressed in relief that night and played well again filling in for Love in Week 17, but the Packers fell 41-24 to the Ravens to extend their losing streak to three.
Willis is now dealing with a hamstring injury, making it unclear who will serve as the Packers’ No. 2 QB in their regular-season finale (via Rob Demovsky of ESPN). Desmond Ridder, who joined Green Bay’s practice squad on Wednesday, may back up Tune.
Although the Packers are skidding as they head toward the postseason, it’s a relief for them that Love is healthy again as the wild-card round approaches. Assuming he doesn’t play this week, the fifth-year man will end his regular season with a 66.3% completion rate, 7.7 yards per attempt, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions in 15 games. Love ranks second in QBR (73.4), trailing only Patriots MVP candidate Drake Maye, and seventh in traditional passer rating (101.2).
Tune, 26, is in line for his second NFL start. The Houston product entered the league as a fifth-round pick of the Cardinals in 2023. His lone start came as a rookie against the Browns in Week 9. It didn’t go well for Tune, who completed 11 of 20 passes for a meager 58 yards and two interceptions in a 27-0 loss. He has only attempted six passes in the regular season since then, including four after Willis aggravated a shoulder injury last week. He completed one pass and tossed another pick against the Ravens.
Tune, whom Green Bay signed from its practice squad to its active roster Wednesday, joined the organization after Arizona released him in late August. Four months later, he’ll have an opportunity to start a game for a playoff-bound team.
Packers To Sign QB Desmond Ridder; Latest On Jordan Love, Malik Willis
The Packers do not have anything at stake in Week 18. Green Bay is locked into the NFC’s seventh seed, but the team does need healthy options at the quarterback spot for at least one game. 
As a result, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports Desmond Ridder is being signed. This is a practice squad agreement, he adds. When speaking to the media on Wednesday, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Ridder will be joining Green Bay for the time being.
A third-round pick of the Falcons in 2022, Ridder made four starts as a rookie and another 13 the following season. He was with the Raiders last year, making one start and six appearances. Since then, Ridder has been in the Bengals’ and Vikings’ organization but he has yet to see any regular season action in 2025. The 26-year-old could be used as a gameday elevation to dress this week depending on the status of Green Bay’s other passers.
Jordan Love has been out of the fold since suffering a concussion against the Bears in Week 16. He participated in practice before being ruled out for Green Bay’s loss this past Saturday. That paved the way for backup Malik Willis to get the nod, but late in the game he reinjured his throwing shoulder. Third-stringer Clayton Tune needed to enter the contest with Willis unavailable.
LaFleur said (via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky) Love remains in concussion protocol at this time. He will once again be able to practice today, however. Progressing through the final stages of the protocol would allow for Love to suit up against the Vikings on Sunday. Willis, meanwhile, will be a limited practice participant.
Sitting at 9-6-1 on the year, Green Bay cannot secure top spot in the NFC North, nor can the team move up in the wild-card standings. That could provide ample reason for the Packers to sit several starters, although LaFleur noted it would be far from ideal for Love to enter the postseason coming off a lengthy spell out of game action. It remains to be seen if he will be available to play at least in a limited capacity on Sunday. Likewise, the status of Willis – a pending free agent who has impressed during his Green Bay opportunities – will be something to monitor over the coming days.
Packers Rule Out Jordan Love For Week 17
Rather than Lamar Jackson–Jordan Love, Saturday’s Ravens-Packers matchup is likely to feature two backup quarterbacks. Jackson is doubtful, and the Packers ruled out Love due to the concussion he sustained last week. 
Malik Willis will start for Green Bay, with Tyler Huntley on track to face the Packers in a do-or-die matchup for the Ravens. This is not a short week for the Packers, who played last Saturday in Chicago, but Love is still going through the concussion protocol steps. Thus, Willis will make his first start of the season.
A hit from Bears defender Austin Booker concussed Love, leading to Willis reemerging for duty. The former Titans draftee played well, all things considered, as he did during an early-season 2024 cameo. Willis started two games last season. Despite being discarded by a new Titans staff in summer 2024 after struggles developing in Tennessee, Willis has found a home in Green Bay. Free agency interest is expected to come the former third-rounder’s way soon. Saturday will be key for the Liberty alum on that end.
By losing yesterday, the Lions have been officially eliminated from postseason contention. That has guaranteed at least a wild-card spot for the Packers, although first place in the NFC North is still within reach at this point. Whether or not that remains the case beyond this weekend will depend on Green Bay’s ability to win tomorrow. Love will likely be expected to return for the regular season finale (at least, if it is still meaningful for seeding purposes) but Willis will get at least one December start.
Willis, 26, has made five regular season starts in the NFL. Huntley, meanwhile, has led the Ravens’ offense on 11 total occasions between the regular season and playoffs. He also logged five starts last season for the Dolphins with Tua Tagovailoa sidelined. Huntley is a pending free agent, so his situation is similar to Willis’ in that regard.
A strong performance from either backup would go a long way in determining their market value. In any case, the Packers will hope Willis’ encouraging showings with his second career team can continue for another game and keep alive their chances of hosting a playoff game.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Malik Willis Expected To Draw FA Interest; Updates On Packers QB Injuries
Packers quarterback Malik Willis is expected to draw heavy free agent interest this offseason, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
The former Titans third-rounder did not show much in Tennessee, but he has found a grove in Green Bay over the last two years. Willis won both of his starts in 2024 and has generally played well when called upon. This year, he took a few snaps in Weeks 11 and 12 before an extended relief appearance last week after Jordan Love sustained a concussion. Willis completed eight of his 11 passes for 121 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions while adding 44 yards on the ground, though he could not lead a game-winning drive in overtime. The Packers offense has generally functioned smoothly with Willis under center.
That is why other teams will likely be interested this offseason. Willis himself may want a chance to compete for a starting job, which he will not get in Green Bay barring a significant injury to Love. A team looking for a quarterback could look to Willis as a bridge quarterback or reclamation project, perhaps to compete with a young passer for a starting job. Willis’ success in a McVay-style offense could be especially appealing to teams with similar offenses and/or a coach from McVay’s tree.
Unsurprisingly, the Packers would prefer to retain Willis as a high-end backup for exactly the situation that has come up this week. Love did not clear concussion protocol by the end of Green Bay’s practice week on Thursday, though he did progress though a few phases. He is also dealing with a left (non-throwing) shoulder injury and is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game. That positions Willis to start on Saturday against the Ravens, though he is dealing with a shoulder injury to his throwing arm as well as an illness. He is also listed as questionable, though he said earlier in the week (via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman) that he expects to play.
Packers’ Jordan Love Suffers Concussion
Early in Saturday night’s game, Packers quarterback Jordan Love exited to be evaluated for a concussion. By the start of the second half, he had been ruled out for the remainder of the game. 
Backup Malik Willis has taken over quarterback duties, and that will remain the case the rest of the way. The Love news obviously marks a major blow to Green Bay in Week 16’s critical divisional matchup against Chicago. It could also have an impact beyond tonight’s contest, though.
It is rare for players to clear concussion protocol in time to play during the week immediately following a diagnosis. As a result, an absence of at least one game is commonplace. Presuming Love finds himself in the protocol, he will therefore be in serious danger of missing the Packers’ Week 17 game against the Ravens.
Green Bay entered Saturday as the NFC’s seventh seed with a record of 9-4-1. Chicago, meanwhile, came into the game leading the division at 10-4. With pole position in the NFC North down the stretch at stake, the Packers have now been dealt a notable blow on offense. Of course, this development comes just days after Micah Parsons tore his ACL. The blockbuster trade acquisition will not return in 2025, hindering Green Bay’s pass rush moving forward.
Love will face a much shorter timeline in his recovery. Still, the possibility of missing next week’s game will make for a major storyline over the coming days. Regardless of tonight’s outcome, the closing stages of the season will be critical in deciding Green Bay’s spot in the NFC playoff picture. Having Love available would be key, although Willis has generally flashed potential during his time with the Packers.
Acquired via trade last August, the former Titans draftee made seven appearances (including two starts) in 2024. Willis’ entrance into tonight’s game marks his third showing of the season. The 26-year-old is set to see his rookie contract expire this spring. As such, a strong performance while briefly atop the depth chart will help establish his value ahead of a free agent period set to be devoid of desirable veterans under center.
Love’s Green Bay future is far more certain. The 2020 first-rounder has a $55MM-per-year contract which runs through 2028. For the immediate term, though, it remains to be seen when he will be back in the lineup.
QB Jordan Love Undergoes Thumb Surgery
Packers quarterback Jordan Love had surgery this week to repair a ligament in the thumb of his left (non-throwing) hand, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
“The surgery went well, and he’s in great spirits,” said head coach Matt LaFleur on Thursday (via TMJ4’s Ashley Washburn).
Love injured his thumb during the Packers’ preseason game against the Jets last Saturday. He still practice on Monday with his thumb taped, but he opted for surgery in an effort to get back to 100%.
“Dealing with injuries last year, I wanted to go into this thing feeling good,” said Love on Thursday (via Demovsky).
The fifth-year quarterback missed two games in 2024 due to a sprained MCL and played through a groin injury later in the season. This year, Love’s thumb injury came early enough in the preseason that he could go under the knife with plenty of time before Week 1.
“If this was in the middle of the season, probably would’ve been something we didn’t get the surgery on,” continued Love. “But with it still being early and I’m having time to recover and be fully ready for Week 1, the recommendation was to get the surgery.”
With a little over three weeks until Green Bay’s regular-season opener, Love’s timeline to recover from a procedure is tight, but doable for his non-throwing hand. Had this happened to Love’s right thumb, he likely would have been sidelined into the regular season.
Neither Love nor LaFleur committed to a clear return timetable, but both indicated that the 26-year-old quarterback should back on the field in some capacity next week.
Largest 2025 Cap Hits: Offense
Last offseason brought about a record-breaking jump in the salary cap. This year, the ceiling rose to $279.2MM, another notable spike. The market at a number of positions will benefit from the ongoing surge in spending power available to teams, with quarterbacks obviously the largest standout in that respect.
In 2024, a pair of signal-callers surpassed the $50MM mark in terms of cap charges for the season. That will not be the case this time around, but to little surprise quarterbacks once again lead the way in terms of representing the largest share of many teams’ financial commitments for 2025. Positions such as receiver and offensive tackle have also generally not reached the same peak in terms of cap commitments as last year.
Leading up to training camp, are the NFL’s top 25 cap charges for offensive players:
- Dak Prescott, QB (Cowboys): $50.52MM
- Matthew Stafford, QB (Rams): $47.47MM
- Joe Burrow, QB (Bengals): $46MM
- Lamar Jackson, QB (Ravens): $43.5MM
- Kyler Murray, QB (Cardinals): $43.33MM
- Kirk Cousins, QB (Falcons): $40MM
- Geno Smith, QB (Raiders): $40MM
- Tua Tagovailoa, QB (Dolphins): $39.18MM
- Justin Herbert, QB (Chargers): $37.35MM
- Josh Allen, QB (Bills): $36.34MM
- Deshaun Watson, QB (Browns): $35.97MM
- Jared Goff, QB (Lions): $32.6MM
- Taylor Moton, RT (Panthers): $31.35MM
- Jordan Love, QB (Packers): $29.69MM
- Patrick Mahomes, QB (Chiefs): $28.06MM
- Calvin Ridley, WR (Titans): $28MM
- Tyreek Hill, WR (Dolphins): $27.7MM
- Jawaan Taylor, RT (Chiefs): $27.39MM
- Baker Mayfield, QB (Buccaneers): $26.48MM
- Terry McLaurin, WR (Commanders): $25.5MM
- Mike Evans, WR (Buccaneers): $25.36MM
- D.J. Moore, WR (Bears): $24.9MM
- Tee Higgins, WR (Bengals): $24.06MM
- Ja’Marr Chase, WR (Bengals): $23.57MM
- Trey Smith, RG (Chiefs): $23.4MM
Prescott’s last-minute 2024 Cowboys extension made him the first player in NFL history to carry an AAV of $60MM. That pact will have lasting impacts well beyond the coming campaign, as the team looks to also fit in the big-ticket extension CeeDee Lamb inked last summer and the one Micah Parsons is in position to sign at some point before Week 1. 
Once again, Stafford and the Rams entered the spring with plenty of uncertainty. Retirement was a consideration quickly done away with in the case of the 37-year-old, but it remained to be seen if he would remain in Los Angeles. Trade offers came in from numerous suitors, and the chance existed for Stafford to land a more lucrative deal elsewhere. In the end, though, team and player reached agreement on another reworked pact. Stafford is now in line to receive $84MM over the next two years, including guaranteed money in 2026. A bit of continuity will thus be in place under center for the Rams.
2020 draft classmates Burrow, Tagovailoa and Herbert are understandable top-10 players on this list given their respective deals. All three are on the books for years to come as they look to unseat the Chiefs atop the AFC. Burrow spoke about restructuring his pact to create the cap space necessary for the Bengals to retain or extend each of their key in-house players this offseason. That has yet to take place, and it will be interesting to see if a reworking is explored while talks on the Trey Hendrickson front continue.
The Ravens have worked out a few extensions on offense already (Derrick Henry, Rashod Bateman) but Jackson looms as a candidate for a new deal. Three years remain on his pact, but starting in 2026 his cap charge is scheduled so spike well past its current figure. The two-time MVP has discussed a new arrangement this offseason, and a bump in guarantees and overall compensation similar to what the Bills did with Allen would come as no surprise.
Cousins’ figure stands out, of course, given the fact he is slated to operate as Atlanta’s backup this season. With no release coming and no trade imminent, the four-time Pro Bowler is set to stay in place behind Michael Penix Jr. Cousins has made progress in his rehab from shoulder and ankle injuries suffered prior to his benching midway through his debut Atlanta season. With $10MM already guaranteed for next year, it will be interesting to see if a trade market develops in the coming months in his case.
With the exception of Watson – whose second Achilles tear is set to sideline him for most or all of the coming campaign – the remaining quarterbacks on the list are positioned to serve as starters for their respective teams. Only Geno Smith will be suiting up for a new organization after he was traded from the Seahawks to the Raiders. That swap was followed up by a two-year, $75MM extension and allowed him to reunite with head coach Pete Carroll. A short-term upgrade under center will be key as Vegas looks to find stability on the sidelines and in the front office.
Moton’s cap figure was a talking point earlier this offseason, but the Panthers are content to avoid a fourth restructure in his case. The pending free agent hopes to finish his career in Carolina, but an extension would have helped ensure that while lowering his immediate cap charge. In the absence of such an agreement, it will be interesting to see if Moton, 30, can deliver another strong showing in 2025.
Ridley is perhaps a surprising figure to lead the way in terms of cap charges at the receiver spot. He will operate as a key member of the Titans’ offense, a unit whose success will of course depend in large part on the play of rookie Cam Ward. Ridley has two more years left on his deal beyond 2025, but with limited guarantees owed over that span his Tennessee future could be greatly impacted by who this season plays out. 
The likes of Hill, Evans and Moore are not currently the subject of speculation regarding their future. McLaurin, however, was absent from much of the Commanders’ spring practices with little progress being made at the negotiating table. Plenty of work is still required at this point to avoid a potential free agent departure next spring. Coming off a career-high in touchdowns while thriving alongside Jayden Daniels, the two-time Pro Bowler is in line for a raise which will likely lower his cap hit this season.
Chase and Higgins inked their deals simultaneously, putting an end to questions regarding where the latter in particular would play on his second contract. Those two, together with Burrow, will serve as foundational players for years to come in Cincinnati. It will be interesting to see how long Chase (with an AAV of $40.25MM) remains the league’s top earner in that respect for non-quarterbacks.
Kansas City’s offensive line faces questions entering the season. Despite his big-ticket contract, Taylor is not a lock to remain a starter at this point. With no guaranteed left on the final year of his deal (2026), a parting of ways could be in store next spring if a backup gig ensues. Trey Smith, meanwhile, remains attached to the franchise tag although an extension is among the team’s remaining offseason priorities.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/11/25
Saturday’s minor transactions and more standard gameday practice squad elevations for the wild-card round of the playoffs:
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: WR Keith Kirkwood, WR Anthony Miller
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: S Kareem Jackson, WR Jalen Virgil
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: RB Tyler Badie
- Elevated: G Nick Gargiulo
- Placed on reserve/NFI list: T Frank Crum
Green Bay Packers
- Signed to active roster: QB Sean Clifford
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: FB Khari Blasingame, WR Parris Campbell
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from IR: T Calvin Anderson
- Elevated: WR Jamal Agnew, WR Scotty Miller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: LB Deion Jones, WR Tanner Knue
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: WR Chris Moore, CB Kevon Seymour
As a member of the practice squad this year, Clifford, the second-year passer out of Penn State, was elevated twice. As a member of the active roster, he will be able to serve as Green Bay’s emergency third quarterback, which could be beneficial after starter Jordan Love was knocked out of the team’s Week 18 loss with an elbow injury on his throwing arm, and his backup, Malik Willis, was dealing with a thumb injury on his throwing hand. Both players had two full practices this week and carry no injury designation, but the team will be taking no chances.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts Cleared For Playoffs
The Eagles’ hopes for a No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs seemingly came to a halt, along with their 10-game winning streak, when Jalen Hurts was knocked out of Philadelphia’s Week 16 game against the division-rival Commanders after only one and a half drives. Luckily, Hurts’ injury should not limit them in the postseason as Mark Maske of The Washington Post reports that the quarterback has cleared the league’s concussion protocol. 
When Hurts was injured, the Eagles deployed backup passer Kenny Pickett, who led an admirable attempt to take over the game against Washington but, ultimately, fell. As the playoffs drew nearer, Philadelphia was aware that they were out of reach of the 1-seed in the NFC but also out of reach of the other division-winners behind them. They put no pressure on Hurts to return quickly and announced Pickett as the starter in Week 17, despite some rib injuries Pickett sustained in the loss to the Commanders.
Regardless, Pickett led a strong effort against a depleted Cowboys team before being taken out early in the second half after taking another shot to the ribs. This forced third-string quarterback Tanner McKee to make his NFL debut after getting drafted in the sixth-round last year. McKee finished the job against Dallas and won his first career start against another depleted division-rival, the Giants, as well, in Week 18.
Though this experience was extremely useful, as both backup quarterbacks got real game action against NFL regular season defenses, it was likely never Philadelphia’s plan for either quarterback to see time in the postseason. They have the experience under their belt now, but one imagines the Eagles were just utilizing their depth and their security as the 2-seed in the NFC to give Hurts a rest.
With Hurts clearing concussion protocol, he’s set to start this Sunday against the 7-seed Packers. Luckily, Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love has also been cleared after leaving a Week 18 game against the Bears with an elbow injury on his throwing arm. Both players were full participants over the last two days, leading up to an exciting matchup in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Packers QB Jordan Love Avoids Serious Injury, On Track To Play Week 9
NOVEMBER 3: Love suffered no setbacks in practice this past week, and while he carries a “questionable” designation due to his groin injury, he is expected to play in Week 9, per Pelissero. Given that Green Bay (6-2) is hosting the Lions (6-1) with the NFC North lead on the line, this is especially good news for the Packers.
OCTOBER 28: Jordan Love may have avoided a serious injury during yesterday’s win over the Jaguars, but the Packers QB isn’t in the clear for Week 9. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero passes along that Love likely “avoided a long-term injury” in yesterday’s contest. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky notes that today’s tests didn’t show any significant damage, and Love has officially been diagnosed with a strain.
Love tweaked his groin and was seen hobbling throughout the first half of yesterday’s contest. He eventually left the game, with backup Malik Willis playing the majority of the second half. An MCL sprain forced the starter to miss both Week 2 and Week 3, but despite the growing list of ailments, the Packers aren’t intending to slowly nurse Love back to full health.
“Yeah, if he can go, he’ll go,” coach Matt LaFleur said of Love’s status for this weekend (via Demovsky). “So, we’ll see where he’s at by the end of the week. But if we feel like he can’t protect himself, then we certainly wouldn’t put him in that position.”
As LaFleur noted, the Packers will take the week to evaluate Love’s progress before making a final call on their QB situation for Sunday’s showdown with the Lions. If Love is forced to miss the game, Demovsky writes that it would likely only be a one-game absence for the quarterback.
After finally being elevated to the QB1 role in 2023, Love had a breakout campaign, tossing 32 touchdowns before helping guide his squad to the Divisional Round. The QB inked a four-year, $220MM extension this offseason, and Love has started the 2024 campaign with a 4-2 record and a league-leading 7.5 percent passing TD %. Despite missing two-plus games, Love has also tossed a league-leading nine interceptions.