Love was hurt on the third-to-last play of Green Bay's season opener.
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The Green Bay Packers' 2024 playoff hopes may have taken a serious blow. In their season opener, a 34-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, quarterback Jordan Love sustained what seems to be a lower leg injury on the third-to-last play. The Athletic reports that Love will undergo an MRI when the team returns to Green Bay, but an ankle injury has been ruled out for now. Initial tests also suggest his ACL is intact, according to NFL Media, though further scans are needed to clarify the injury.
As Love tried to lead a game-winning drive with under 30 seconds left, he was twisted by defenders while attempting to pass to running back Josh Jacobs. Love, clearly in pain, eventually limped off the field with the help of trainers.
When asked about Love's status after the game, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur replied, "I don't know." Before his injury, Love had completed 17 of 34 passes for 260 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
The Packers were seen as potential NFC contenders this season. After a 9-8 record in 2023 that included a playoff berth and a postseason win over the Dallas Cowboys, the team looked poised to make a leap forward with Love, who had an impressive final stretch of his first full season as a starter. He threw 23 touchdowns and just three interceptions in his last 10 games, earning a four-year, $220 million extension in July.
Losing Love would significantly impact the Packers' 2024 prospects. His backup is 25-year-old Malik Willis, whom Green Bay acquired from the Tennessee Titans for a seventh-round pick a few weeks ago. GM Brian Gutekunst chose Willis over Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt, so the team might consider moving forward with the former third-round pick from Liberty.
Willis has limited NFL experience, having started only three games (winning one) and throwing for 350 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions. However, he has shown progress in recent seasons and remains an intriguing dual-threat option.
If the Packers look outside the organization for a replacement, several options could be considered:
The Packers were seen as potential NFC contenders this season. After a 9-8 record in 2023 that included a playoff berth and a postseason win over the Dallas Cowboys, the team looked poised to make a leap forward with Love, who had an impressive final stretch of his first full season as a starter. He threw 23 touchdowns and just three interceptions in his last 10 games, earning a four-year, $220 million extension in July.
Losing Love would significantly impact the Packers' 2024 prospects. His backup is 25-year-old Malik Willis, whom Green Bay acquired from the Tennessee Titans for a seventh-round pick a few weeks ago. GM Brian Gutekunst chose Willis over Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt, so the team might consider moving forward with the former third-round pick from Liberty.
Willis has limited NFL experience, having started only three games (winning one) and throwing for 350 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions. However, he has shown progress in recent seasons and remains an intriguing dual-threat option.
If the Packers look outside the organization for a replacement, several options could be considered:
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