Jordan Love seems to be well, but it doesn't mean the Green Bay Packers won't have huge injury issues against the Detroit Lions. The Packers haven't made a decision on Jordan Love's status yet, however he moved well in practice for the second consecutive day.
The team designated Love as questionable to play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday because of the groin injury he suffered last Sunday versus the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"He'll be limited on the report and be questionable for the game," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed. "I think we're gonna do it how we always do it. We'll give him up to gametime to see how he's feeling."
Jordan Love missed the second half of the Jaguars game and the practice on Wednesday. However, he returned to practice on Thursday and was limited both on Thursday and Friday.
According to multiple reports, the Packers are optimistic that Love will be able to play in the huge NFC North matchup.
Jordan Love missed two games this season, both because of a knee injury suffered in week 1, against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil. With Malik Willis, the Packers beat the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans. Willis also played the second half in Jacksonville.
Huge issues
Even if Jordan Love plays, the Packers might have significant absences on Sunday. Cornerbacks Jaire Alexander (knee) and Corey Ballentine (ankle) are questionable, as is running back Josh Jacobs (ankle) — even though the offensive player expects to be available. Center Josh Myers (wrist) is doubtful, which means he will likely not play, and rookie safety Evan Williams is out.
The Packers have Jaire Alexander, Keisean Nixon, Eric Stokes, Carrington Valentine, and Corey Ballentine at cornerback on the 53-man roster. Ideally, if Alexander can't go because of a knee injury, the team could move Nixon outside and Javon Bullard to slot corner as he has played.
However, without Evan Williams, who has already been ruled out with a hamstring injury, Bullard will most likely have to be kept as a deep safety alongside Xavier McKinney. This means the Packers might have a combination of Stokes and Valentine outside, with Nixon in the slot. Ballentine is questionable, but he's been playing through his ankle injury.
At safety, beyond McKinney and Bullard, the Packers have rookie Kitan Oladapo and Zayne Anderson, who have primarily been special teamers.
It's possible that the Packers will elevate or promote defensive backs from the practice squad to have more depth. The cornerbacks on the PS are Robert Rochell, Kamal Hadden, and seventh-round rookie Kalen King. The only safety is undrafted rookie Omar Brown.
Offensive line opportunity
Along the offensive line, significant changes will be a part of the plan. Without Josh Myers, who has a wrist injury, the Packers are expected to move Elgton Jenkins from left guard to center and Sean Rhyan from right to left guard. With that, first-round rookie Jordan Morgan will have the opportunity to make his first NFL start.
Off-ball linebacker Quay Walker, who missed last week's game because of a concussion, cleared the protocol and will start on Sunday, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed during the week.
Packers injury report:
Out
- S Evan Williams (hamstring)
Doubtful
- C Josh Myers (wrist)
Questionable
- QB Jordan Love (groin)
- CB Jaire Alexander (knee)
- CB Corey Ballentine (ankle)
- RB Josh Jacobs (ankle)
Good to go
- DT Kenny Clark (toe/shoulder)
- LG Elgton Jenkins (glute)
- LT Rasheed Walker (knee)
- DT Devonte Wyatt (ankle)
- LB Quay Walker (concussion)
- DE Lukas Van Ness (ankle)
Other side
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell revealed that two important pieces of the team's defense won't play on Sunday. Starting edge rusher Joshua Pascal is out because of an illness, and off-ball linebacker is out because of an ankle injury. Defensive tackle Brodric Martin has also been ruled out, while rookie defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo and depth running back Sione Vaki are listed as doubtful.
