Packers provide updates that raise the urgency for an emergency plan at quarterback
Both Jordan Love and Malik Willis left the Bears game on Saturday with injuries to handle.
The Green Bay Packers will have to work around plans A, B, and C at the quarterback position throughout the week ahead of the Baltimore Ravens game next Saturday.
Starter Jordan Love is in the concussion protocol after a hit to the head in the second quarter took him out of the Chicago Bears game. To make things even more difficult, Malik Willis also got hurt during the game.
Malik Willis has a shoulder injury
Willis was hit on the final play of regulation against the Bears and suffered a shoulder injury. While the Packers didn’t offer details of what it is, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed it’s a real issue that will be monitored during the week.
“I’d say he’s pretty sore,” LaFleur revealed. “It’s a legitimate deal that he’s dealing with, and he’s going to be another guy where we’ll see where he’s at as we progress. That further complicates the other problem.”
The other problem that LaFleur mentions is the preparation for the Ravens game. It’s possible that Love won’t practice at all or at least will be limited as part of the concussion protocol, and Willis could end up in a similar situation.
Obviously, Malik Willis played through it in overtime and was still able to make a good throw to wide receiver Jayden Reed, which presumably is a good indication about his availability for next Saturday. However, the Packers must be prepared for every scenario.
Jordan Love’s status
Matt LaFleur confirmed that Love is still in the concussion protocol, but mentioned that the starter was doing much better on Sunday.
“That’s a process that takes multiple days to get through,” LaFleur explained. “You might have an educated guess, but that’s always a tough one to navigate. There are a lot of steps to getting through that. From my conversations with people, I have not specifically talked to him [on Sunday], but it sounded like he was doing better.”
Now, Love has to progress through the protocol over the week and be cleared to play against the Ravens. It’s not uncommon for players to miss games due to concussions, but it’s feasible to return without missing extra time as well.
Options at quarterback
The third-string quarterback on the Packers is Clayton Tune, who had spent most of his career with the Arizona Cardinals. He was a fifth-round pick back in 2023, and was drafted 10 picks before the Packers selected Sean Clifford.
It’s possible that Green Bay evaluates the addition of another quarterback depending on how Love and Willis progress.
Clifford is now on the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad, so he could be signed to the active 53-man roster — however, the Packers would have to keep him for three weeks in that scenario.
Among the true free agents who could be added to the practice squad are Taylor Elgersma, who spent his rookie training camp in Green Bay, and veteran Tim Boyle, who played under Matt LaFleur earlier in his tenure.
It’s obviously not the ideal situation entering such an impactful stretch, but the Packers are getting used to having unlucky breaks. And Green Bay needs one win over the next two games to secure a playoff spot — with whichever quarterback who may be healthy enough.
Future rivals are handling adversities as well
The Packers’ final two games of the season are against the Baltimore Ravens and Minnesota Vikings. Curiously, both are dealing with quarterback injuries as well.
Ravens’ star Lamar Jackson left the New England Patriots game on “Sunday Night Football” with a back injury, and Tyler Huntley had to play most of the night. For the Vikings, J.J. McCarthy lost part of the game due to a right hand injury, and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer had to play.
While the Packers have their own situations to monitor, their next two adversaries face similar question marks.
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