In a report on the health of Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports stated that Malik Willis is expected to start while Love recovers from a sprained medial collateral ligament.
“In the meantime, Malik Willis will be in the starting lineup,” Glazer said Sunday on the NFL pregame show on FOX.
Next Sunday, the Packers will host the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field in their home opener.
Glazer confirmed reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that Love suffered a grade 1 or 2 medial collateral ligament sprain.
“It’s a two- to four-week injury,” Glazer said. “Matt LaFleur said we wanted to be cautious with him, but this is a lot better news than it could have been.”
Over the next four weeks, the Packers will play the Colts, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams.
Willis, a third-round pick by the Titans in 2022, was traded to the Packers for a seventh-round pick during final cuts last month. In two seasons with Tennessee, Willis appeared in 11 games and started three times. He was the Titans’ third-string quarterback this summer and is expected to be released before the Packers make the trade.
During the regular season, Willis completed 35 of 67 passes for 350 yards, zero touchdown passes and three interceptions and ran for 144 yards and a touchdown.
The Packers were impressed with Willis’ progress as a pocket quarterback during the 2024 preseason. He took over Love’s backup role after Sean Clifford, who remains on the practice squad, and rookie Michael Pratt failed to earn the starting job during training camp.
Brandon Carwile of Packers Wire took a look at Willis’ game tape to learn more about his game.
Given Willis’ lack of experience in the scheme and stage of development as a quarterback, LaFleur and the Packers’ offense may have to get artistic to create offense while Love recovers. Willis has a massive arm and real running ability. Can LaFleur design effortless throws and utilize all the talent at the quarterback position to assist Willis in tight spots?
