The Green Bay Packers are planning to play quarterback Jordan Love in the preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed his intention to get Love on the field, a decision that wasn’t initially clear but now carries significant implications for how the Packers approach the entire preseason slate.

Preseason plan is clearer

Love is expected to play a series or two against Pittsburgh, and the expectation extends into the second preseason game against the Denver Broncos as well. The third and final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field will be different, though.

The Packers have a joint practice scheduled two days before that contest, and that session will serve as the primary exposure for starters. The backups and third-stringers will handle the game itself against Arizona.

The calculus centers on managing the line between preparation and protection. LaFleur said Monday that sometimes you have to push the envelope a little bit, citing studies suggesting players who participate in preseason games face a lower chance of getting injured early in the regular season.

That’s the philosophy driving Green Bay’s approach. There is obvious risk involved in playing starters during exhibition games, but the Packers’ perception is that controlled preseason reps actually prevent injuries when the games start to count, in addition to get players more ready for those early matchups.

Starters with availability questions

The plan does come with exceptions. Running back Josh Jacobs will sit out at least this week, as LaFleur confirmed. Wide receivers Matthew Golden and Jayden Reed missed practice this week with their own injuries, and there’s no reason to push players into preseason action under those circumstances.

The offensive line situation presents a question mark as well, particularly at left guard, where Aaron Banks hasn’t practiced much because of his own injuries. If Banks can’t go, rookie Jager Burton would likely start at left guard. Zach Bako-Bewele is expected to play at right tackle.

Even with those absences, the Packers still have to put a respectable group of players on the field to protect Love. That’s a non-negotiable part of this equation. Getting Love into a rhythm before the regular season has clear value, but only if the supporting cast around him is good enough to keep him upright.