With quarterback Jordan Love out of the Green Bay Packers’ Week 17 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, they turned to backup Malik Willis to start under center. While expectations weren’t high, he wowed the NFL world, throwing and rushing all over the field, driving the Packers’ offense up and down the field.
However, after a routine throw, Willis went down with a right shoulder injury and sprinted immediately to the locker room from the field. Here’s everything to know about Willis’ status.
What Happened to Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis?
While Willis was banged up with an injury to the same shoulder coming into the game, he was able to suit up and lead the Packers on the field during their Week 17 Saturday night contest. He was having a great game, completing 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown, while rushing nine times for 60 yards and two touchdowns.
Unfortunately, on his 21st pass attempt with a little over eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, Willis re-aggravated that shoulder injury after a seven-yard completion to wide receiver Christian Watson. He wasn’t contacted and likely had a flare-up on the follow-through. His backup, Clayton Tune, would throw an interception two plays later.
Malik Willis got hurt on this play and is now in the locker room
Third string Clayton Tune came in the game and threw an interception pic.twitter.com/gV4nXC0RJU
— JM Football (@JomboyMediaFB) December 28, 2025
While he sprinted into the locker room to get examined, he returned to the field during the Ravens’ next possession to a thunderous round of applause from the crowd at Lambeau Field; however, he would not return to the game as the Ravens held a 17-point lead.
Fantasy managers who were bold enough to put Willis in lineups have to be smirking at their brilliance. Obviously, the negative game script remaining would have likely led to more points, but no one is complaining about what Willis already provided.
With this being the last week of the season, there’s nothing actionable here for 2025. However, Willis likely played his way into at least competing for a starting job in 2026. If he wins it, he will absolutely be on the fantasy radar due to his mobility.
Coming into Week 17, the Packers had the sixth-ranked defense according to PFSN’s Offense Impact metric with a score of 82.8. And while they got beaten by the Ravens 41-24, Willis has looked solid and should not see that score drop much despite the Packers playing their backup. Head coach Matt LaFleur has him primed and ready each week to take over at a moment’s notice.
