Jordan Love’s long-awaited return will likely have to wait another week for the Green Bay Packers. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL NetworkThe Packers are expected to employ backup Malik Willis against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Willis led the Packers to a win over the Indianapolis Colts in last Sunday’s home opener, and now he’ll have a chance to return to Tennessee and start a second straight game for Matt LaFleur and the Packers. The Titans traded Willis to the Packers on Aug. 27.
Rapoport says Love — who practiced in circumscribed capacity all week and was questionable for next week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field.
Love injured his left medial collateral ligament on Sept. 6 in Brazil. It’s now been two weeks and one day since the injury. Given the original 3-6 week schedule, Love’s return next week against the Vikings would have ended his recovery early anyway.
Now the question becomes: Can the Packers steal another win with their backup quarterback? LaFleur’s team faces the prospect of a 1-2 start if Willis doesn’t assist the Packers escape Nashville with a win over the currently winless Titans.
Willis completed 12 of 14 passes last week, including a strike to Dontayvion Wicks for his first career touchdown pass. The Packers ran the ball 53 times to protect Willis and thwart the Colts’ primary weakness. The Titans have no such weakness on defense, which complicates Willis’ task Sunday.
The Titans originally selected Willis in the third round of the 2022 draft. He started three games and appeared in 11 games total while at Tennessee.
The Packers elevated Sean Clifford from the practice squad on Saturday to serve as Willis’ backup on Sunday. It’s unclear if Love will be one of the team’s inactive players on Sunday.
