The much-anticipated return of Jordan Love will likely have to wait another week for the Green Bay Packers. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Packers are expected to start backup Malik Willis on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
Willis led the Packers to win over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday in the home opener, and now he’ll get a chance to go back to Tennessee and start a second consecutive game for Matt LaFleur and the Packers. The Titans traded Willis to the Packers on Aug. 27.
Rapoport says Love — who practiced in a limited capacity all week and was listed as questionable — could return next week against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field.
Love injured his left MCL on Sept. 6 in Brazil. He’s currently two weeks and a day removed from the injury. Given the original timeline of 3-to-6 weeks, Love returning next week against the Vikings would still land on the early end of recovery.
The big question now becomes: Can the Packers steal another win with a backup quarterback? LaFleur’s team faces the prospect of starting 1-2 if Willis can’t help the Packers escape Nashville with a win over the currently winless Titans.
Last week, Willis efficiently completed 12 of 14 passes, including a strike to Dontayvion Wicks for his first career touchdown pass. The Packers ran the ball 53 times to protect Willis and pound away at the Colts’ major weakness. The Titans have no such weakness defensively, complicating the task for Willis on Sunday.
The Titans originally drafted Willis in the third round of the 2022 draft. He started three games and appeared in 11 total games while with Tennessee.
The Packers elevated Sean Clifford from the practice squad on Saturday to be the backup for Willis on Sunday. It’s unclear if Love will be one of the team’s inactives for Sunday.
