Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur is still keeping the option open for Jordan Love to play on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, despite the quarterback dealing with a knee injury that has kept him out of practice.
Love hurt his left medial collateral ligament on the third-to-last play of the Packers’ 34-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil. LaFleur mentioned that Love doesn’t need to practice this week to be ready for Sunday’s game.
“But at the same time, like I told you guys, he’s got to be cleared,” LaFleur said. “We need to be sure he can protect himself, and he has to feel confident enough to play. Until that happens, we won’t even consider it.”
As Love continues to recover, Malik Willis is getting ready to start for Green Bay, just a few weeks after the Packers traded for him from the Tennessee Titans.
Willis was asked on Wednesday how much of the playbook he understands.
“I’m not sure I’d put a percentage on it,” Willis said. “I’m just trying to learn what we have each day, study it the night before, and then execute it.”
LaFleur compared this situation to his time as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator in 2018, when the Titans had to turn to Blaine Gabbert after Marcus Mariota got hurt in the season opener.
At least in that case, Gabbert had been with the Titans throughout training camp. The Packers acquired Willis in a trade that was finalized on August 27.
Willis has only made three career starts, all as a rookie with Tennessee in 2022. The Titans went 1-2 in those games, and Willis did not pass for more than 100 yards in any of them.
In a 17-10 win at Houston, Willis went 6 of 10 for 55 yards with an interception, and Tennessee only attempted one pass after halftime.
Willis was 5 of 16 for 80 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in a 20-17 overtime loss at Kansas City. He also was 14 of 23 for 99 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns in a 19-14 home loss to the Texans.
“I wasn’t ready yet, but I had to go in,” Willis said on Wednesday about his rookie season. “I’m a different player now.”
Willis believes he has learned a lot since then and feels more prepared for this new chance to start. He credits his work last year, even though he only played in three games as a reserve.
“You just keep preparing until you get a chance,” said Willis, a 2022 third-round pick from Liberty. “That’s how this league works.
There are guys like Taylor Heinicke and others around the league who weren’t starting or playing, but they kept working hard. When they finally got their chance, they made the most of it. All you can do is put something good on tape and be ready to perform at your best.”
The Titans decided they didn’t need Willis after Mason Rudolph won the backup spot behind Will Levis. The Packers then traded a 2025 seventh-round pick to get Willis.
They didn’t realize at the time how soon they would need him.
Green Bay’s receivers say they trust Willis. Dontayvion Wicks mentioned he knew Willis from their nearby colleges, with Wicks at Virginia and Willis at Liberty. Jayden Reed said he was impressed by Willis’ throws.
“That he could spin it, that was my first thought when I saw him throw the ball,” Reed said.
Willis will have a real chance to make an impact on Sunday. He is working hard to build chemistry with his new teammates.
