Acme Packing Company
There’s optimism that Love can suit up against the Detroit Lions on Sunday
While it’s always worrisome when a starting quarterback doesn’t finish a game, there’s some clear optimism in Green Bay that Packers quarterback Jordan Love didn’t suffer a serious injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the team’s win on Sunday. Officially, Love was pulled from the game with a groin injury, which originally was aggravated during the first half in Jacksonville. Love attempted to play through the injury for several series, as he even lined up under center in the second half versus Jacksonville before backup quarterback Malik Willis stepped in his place.
Willis did enough to seal the game, completing four of five passes for 56 yards and a touchdown on top of four carries for 23 yards. Don’t kid yourself, though, Willis’ 100-plus passer rating comes via a sample sample size where the team has transitioned to a run-first offense. The Packers still want Love on the field, given the option.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Love will undergo tests on Monday that should give Green Bay a hint at how serious the quarterback’s injury is. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said he was “concerned” about Love, but only in the context that Love wasn’t able to “protect himself,” a phrase LaFleur often uses when discussing injuries.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio added to Pelissero’s report, claiming that a league source said that Love will go through an MRI scan and that the “belief is that it’s not a long-term injury.” What you’re hearing is a collective exhale from the Packers’ faithful.
Hopefully, some rest for Love will allow him to suit up against the Detroit Lions, the NFC's number one seed and the leader in the Packers’ NFC North, on Sunday. Green Bay can't afford to slip up in tight NFC North and NFC Wild Card races. If the Packers win next week versus Detroit, they (or the NFC East’s Washington Commanders) will be the top NFC seed going into Week 10. If Green Bay loses, though, there’s a good chance they’ll be the seventh seed going into Week 10, the final playoff spot in the NFC. A big reason for that is the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles, two teams that have beaten the Packers this season, breathing down their neck in the NFC standings.
To say the least, a lot is at stake on Sunday.
