Packers add a former starting quarterback, and it shows exactly what Week 18 will look like for Green Bay
Clayton Tune could be elevated to be active against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
The Green Bay Packers are showing their cards for Week 18. On Wednesday, the team signed quarterback Desmond Ridder to the practice squad, and he has a shot at being elevated for gameday to be active against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
How the quarterback situation is expected to unfold
Jordan Love didn’t play against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday because of a concussion he suffered versus the Chicago Bears one week earlier. Even if he clears the concussion protocol, Love is expected to sit against the Vikings since the Packers have already clinched a playoff spot and the seventh seed in the NFC.
Malik Willis started against the Ravens, but he’s dealing with a shoulder injury and the Packers could rest him for the playoffs as well.
In this scenario, the starting quarterback would be Clayton Tune, who’s been on the practice squad for the entire season and had a few reps against the Ravens when Willis left the game with the injury.
Desmond Ridder’s signing indicates that the Packers are considering the possibility of not playing Love or Willis, and Ridder could serve as the backup to Tune.
Desmond Ridder is an experienced option
A third-round pick in 2022, Desmond Ridder started 17 games for the Atlanta Falcons — including a win over the Packers in 2023.
Since the Falcons moved on from him, Ridder has spent time with the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders last year (including one start), and this year with the Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings.
His knowledge of the Vikings’ defense could be helpful for Week 18.
Green Bay still has an open roster spot on the 53-man roster, so Clayton Tune could be promoted, while Ridder could be elevated for gameday.
The Packers also signed offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart to the practice squad. The former Michigan lineman has played for the Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL.
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