The Green Bay Packers were left with not only a tough Week 1 34-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but they had to leave the field unsure of the status of franchise quarterback Jordan Love. He left Friday’s game with just seconds remaining due to a left leg injury.
What Happened to Jordan Love?
With the Packers trailing 34-29 with 15 seconds to play and trying to come up with a miracle finish, Love was injured scrambling to avoid a sack at midfield.
Love lateraled a pitch to running back Josh Jacobs, who ran out of bounds for a 4-yard gain. But Love was injured during the play and tackled just after he pitched the ball. Afterward, he was helped off the field, with backup quarterback Malik Willis taking over for the final two plays that resulted in an incomplete pass and then a sack.
There wasn’t an immediate update on Love’s status after the game, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur simply told reporters, “I don’t know. I don’t know.”
Jordan Love
Appears to be a left leg injury.
My thoughts coming soon pic.twitter.com/r8uXcuVfKB
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) September 7, 2024
According to Sports Injury Central (SIC), the video analysis suggested a possible mild left, high ankle sprain. They said that “the injury appears less severe since it affects his front leg, which is not as crucial for pushing off as his back leg.”
“As Love makes the long flight home from Brazil, managing the swelling will be key. With extra rest days ahead, there’s hope that he can avoid missing Week 2. However, even if he suits up, his mobility will likely be limited, potentially impacting his overall effectiveness on the field.”
Sports Injury Central’s Dr. David Chao said the pop in his knee does not indicate an ACL tear or a knee dislocation.
He added, “It does indicate a subluxation, transient dislocation, shifting of the knee cap. That happens more often than you think. And so there’s still reason to believe there may not be a significant injury in Jordan Love’s knee or ankle. The worry here of the knee is a knee cap or Patella subluxation shift. That often can happen without additional ligament tears, and of course, that is the hope here.”
When the Packers land, Jordan Love will get an MRI. I’m told an ankle injury has been ruled out at this point.
Right now, it’s just wait-and-see for more information on the injury.— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) September 7, 2024
Love underwent an MRI on the morning of Sept. 7. NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero shared that initial tests indicated that the QB’s ACL is intact, though there are plenty of potential outcomes to continue to examine.
Initial tests indicated Jordan Love’s ACL is intact. But there’s a wide range of outcomes based on additional scans, which will occur when the team gets back to Green Bay later today. https://t.co/yfwxQVT5vp
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 7, 2024
Chao said, “The Packers are still landing from Brazil, but there is an earlier report from The Athletic saying an ankle injury has been ruled out. That doesn’t mean there isn’t an ankle sprain. Injury, as in [a] tear to a ligament that needs surgery ruled out completely, makes sense. I find it surprising based on the mechanism, as everyone has seen that there isn’t an ankle injury of some sort. There’s certainly the kneecap popping as well, so let’s see what happens as the day goes on.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Love is expected to miss time with an MCL injury, though it is not expected to be season-ending.
Sources: Packers QB Jordan Love is believed to have injured his MCL, pending further testing. It is not expected to be a a season-ending injury, but he is expected to miss some time. pic.twitter.com/8xln7aSHVV
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 7, 2024
Pelissero later reported that the initial timeline is for Love to miss at least three weeks.
#Packers QB Jordan Love's initial timetable for return is in the 3-6 week range, per sources. And there's some early optimism he could return sooner than later, pending a second opinion.
Next three opponents: #Colts at home, at #Titans, #Vikings at home. pic.twitter.com/cOingfYtFW
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 7, 2024
What’s Next for the Packers?
Love finished the game 17-for-34 for 260 yards, with two touchdown passes and one interception.
After only 18 career starts, Love signed a four-year, $220 million contract extension in late July. His $55 million annual average salary is tied with a pair of other quarterbacks — Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals and Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars — for the largest in NFL history.
If Love is forced to miss any time, Willis, the former Tennessee Titans quarterback who is in his first season with the Packers, is the current backup and would likely start in his place.
If Love is sidelined, the Packers’ schedule looks manageable over the next few weeks. Of their next five opponents, only one — the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5 — made the playoffs last season.
Green Bay’s next five opponents are the Indianapolis Colts (9-8 last season), Tennessee Titans (6-11), Minnesota Vikings (7-10), Rams (10-7) and Arizona Cardinals (4-13).
The manageable schedule would give Willis time to get up to speed with the playbook. And, presuming they have a winning record over the next few weeks, Love would then be in a position to lead the Packers to the playoffs in the second half of the season.