During the Green Bay Packers’ win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8, star quarterback Jordan Love suffered a groin injury in the third quarter. What is the latest on Love’s status, and will he be able to play in Week 9 when Green Bay faces the Detroit Lions? Let’s examine the latest injury update for the Packers QB.
What Is Jordan Love’s Injury?
Love was limping near the end of the first half and briefly went into the blue medical tent, but he did not miss a snap before halftime.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told Fox’s broadcast at halftime that Love “can’t really move” and noted that Green Bay would need to adjust his play-calling for the second half.
Then, early in the third quarter, Love went down after being bumped by a Jaguars defender on a third-down play. He initially went down on his back before leaving the field with trainers.
The Packers listed Love as questionable to return to Week 8 with a groin injury, but he never re-entered the game. Malik Willis was under center for the remainder of the contest.
Doesn’t look like Jordan Love’s knee is doing well. He has been limping throughout this game. #Packers #Jaguars pic.twitter.com/bbV9Oy0Foo
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) October 27, 2024
After Green Bay’s win, LaFleur admitted the Packers are worried about Love’s groin issue.
“Obviously high level of concern,” LaFleur said, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. “… I think everybody could see him struggling to move around, and I just got to a point where we didn’t, he didn’t feel like he could protect himself.”
Love completed 14 of his 22 attempts for 196 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception before leaving last week’s game.
Will Love Play in Week 9?
It remains to be seen if Love will be able to play in Week 9 against the Lions.
After missing practice on Wednesday, Love was able to return to practice on Thursday and Friday as a limited participant. The Packers’ injury report officially lists Love as questionable for Sunday’s game due to his groin injury.
The fact that he was able to get in back-to-back limited practices is a great sign of his availability this weekend. However, be sure to check the Packers’ inactives list on Sunday afternoon to make sure he’s playing and didn’t experience a setback of any kind.
It’s worth noting that Green Bay’s schedule figures to be a part of the decision-making process when it comes to whether they’ll send Love out there for Sunday’s marquee matchup against Detroit.
- Week 10 bye
- Week 11 at Chicago Bears
- Week 12 vs. San Francisco 49ers
- Week 13 vs. Miami Dolphins (Thanksgiving)
- Week 14 at Detroit Lions (TNF)
Green Bay has several important games coming up, and with the bye following Sunday’s game, a cautious approach could prove to be sharp.
How Might Love’s Absence Impact the Packers?
If Love can’t play, the Packers will start Willis, who led them to two wins as Love’s replacement in Weeks 2 and 3. In Week 8, Willis connected on four of five attempts for 56 yards and a touchdown in the Packers’ victory, helping the club move to 6-2.
Willis completed 12 of 14 throws for 122 yards and a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 before throwing for 202 and scoring two total TDs against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3.
TAKE IT YOURSELF, MALIK!#GBvsTEN pic.twitter.com/bHq0F4vB1g
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 22, 2024
Pro Football Network ranked Willis as the NFL’s 10th-best backup quarterback.
While the Packers are 2-0 without Love this season, LaFleur and Co. would obviously much rather have their star QB under center on Sunday.
The Packers QB has been impressive this season. In Week 8, he targeted seven different players with his first 12 passes — distribution patterns that rarely develop this early in careers.
From a fantasy football standpoint, Love will be a top-10 QB if he plays since the Lions have an average pass defense on all fronts.
If Love is ruled out, Willis wouldn’t be a recommended fantasy option, as managers can probably do better (aside from in deep Superflex leagues).
Caleb Williams (at ARI) and Tua Tagovailoa (at BUF) are far too available in ESPN leagues, while Jameis Winston (vs. LAC) is still on plenty of waiver wires — all of whom will be ranked above Willis.