Jordan Love threw for 260 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception before getting injured in the Packers' 34-29 loss to the Eagles on Sept. 6. Photo by Tork Mason, USA TODAY NETWORK.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love returned to practice 12 days after suffering a left knee injury in the season opener. This opens the door for a possible return on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
Love missed only one game—the Packers’ win over the Indianapolis Colts—despite earlier reports suggesting he could be sidelined for up to a month due to an MCL sprain. Malik Willis started in his place for that game.
According to a report from ESPN, Love has a good chance to return for next week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings if he doesn’t play this Sunday.
Limited Practice with Knee Brace
On Wednesday, Love wore a protective knee brace covered by a sleeve and was a limited participant in practice. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur didn’t provide specific details on whether Love took part in all drills or just a few with limited reps.
Love still needs medical clearance and must be able to move well enough to protect himself from further injury. “The trainers are seeing everything I’m doing, and they won’t allow me to go out there unless they feel confident that I can protect myself,” Love said Wednesday. “But at the same time, that’s why it’s good to get some practice reps in and get that feel of what it’s like again.”
Love acknowledged that practice doesn’t fully prepare you for real game situations.
“There’s just nothing like when it’s live bullets, you’re in the game and that rush is real,” said Love, “so there’s a lot of things I might not experience before I get back in the game.”
Willis, who could potentially start again, noted Love’s progress.
“You can see that he feels more comfortable just moving around the building, the way he was out there today,” Willis said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if Love plays”. I just have to stay ready and focus on what I can control [and] leave it up to him and Coach LaFleur.”
Packers Prepare Two QBs
LaFleur is preparing both quarterbacks for Sunday. Willis played conservatively against the Colts, with the Packers throwing only 14 passes and running the ball 53 times. LaFleur is working to get Willis more comfortable with the playbook, but admitted it’s tough to balance practice reps between two quarterbacks.
“That’s always a challenge, and so throughout the course of the week, hopefully you get a better indication and that kind of leads to some of the decisions you have to make,” LaFleur said of getting two quarterbacks ready.
Willis Downplays Revenge Narrative
Willis, traded to the Packers by the Titans for a seventh-round pick in August, isn’t viewing this game as a “revenge” opportunity against his former team.
“No, I could care less, man,” Willis said. “I think I got paid the whole time I was there. I’m more than blessed for the opportunities given me. They brought me into this league, whether those guys are there or not. That organization, they took a shot on me. … They did a great job by me.”
