Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur (Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur provided a stunning injury update on quarterback Jordan Love ahead of Sunday’s home opener against the Indianapolis Colts.
Jordan Love was injured during the waning seconds of the Packers’ loss to the Philadelphia in São Paulo, Brazil last Friday after being hit by Jalen Carter and Josh Sweat. Love was diagnosed with a sprained MCL and was initially expected to miss multiple weeks.
It’s worth noting that the Packers did not place Love on the injured reserve, which would have forced him to miss at least four games. So that suggests the Packers are confident he’ll be back within three weeks.
LaFleur dropped an enticing hint that Jordan Love might actually suit up at Lambeau Field on Sunday, per The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. Kickoff for the Packers’ home opener is set for 1:00 p.m. EST.
“I’d say it’s pretty open (the possibility of Love playing)…but at the same time, he’s gotta be cleared,” LaFleur said, per Schneidman.
The 25-year-old Jordan Love completed 17 of 34 pass attempts for 260 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the 34-29 loss. Malik Willis had to finish the game after Love was injured, and the new Packer was sacked on the final snap before he could attempt a Hail Mary.
Matt LaFleur left the door open Monday for Jordan Love to play Sunday.
How about today?
“I’d say it’s pretty open … but at the same time, he’s gotta be cleared.”
Reiterates Love has to be able to protect himself. Said Love doesn’t need to practice in order to play.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) September 11, 2024
After hosting the Colts on Sunday, the Packers will visit the Tennessee Titans before returning home for a Week 4 tilt against the NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings. If the Packers’ projected timeline is accurate, Love would return by Week 5 for their road contest against the Los Angeles Rams.
Love is coming off a breakout year in which he completed 64.2 percent of pass attempts for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Packers Need Jordan Love To Compete For A Super Bowl
With all due respect to Malik Willis, there’s just no replacing the talents and skills of an MVP-caliber quarterback like Jordan Love. If the latter misses multiple games, and if Willis struggles in Love’s absence, the Packers’ playoff hopes may quickly dwindle.
