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topicnews · September 29, 2024

Will Jordan Love play in the Packers game against the Vikings on Sunday? Injury update

Will Jordan Love play in the Packers game against the Vikings on Sunday? Injury update

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This story has been updated to add new information.

GREEN BAY – Quarterback Jordan Love will start for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday when they host the Minnesota Vikings, a source said.

Love said during the week that he was “close” and apparently he’s not exaggerating.

His return from a left medial ligament sprain suffered in the season opener comes in time for the Packers to play their first NFC North game, against the undefeated Vikings, who are coming off consecutive wins over Houston and San Francisco. They rank second in the league in points allowed per game (10.0) and lead the league in sacks.

The Packers won two straight games with Malik Willis under center, but in both games they didn’t pass the ball often and will likely have to throw it to beat Minnesota. The offense should look different with Love at quarterback, considering how much coach Matt LaFleur has changed it to fit Willis’ talents.

The Packers lead the league in rushing attempts per game (37), and a large part of that is due to Willis predominantly running read-option plays designed to take advantage of his running ability. In the opening game against the Eagles, Love threw the ball 34 times; In two games, Willis threw 34 times.

The last time the Packers played the Vikings, Love was on a roll, deftly defeating the Vikings’ complex blitz package by continually finding gaps in their coverage. He wasn’t sacked in a 33-10 win.

How mobile he will be on Sunday remains to be seen. It’s likely the Vikings will launch a lot of attacks on him to find out.

The Packers did not add practice quarterback Sean Clifford to the gameday roster, which was the first indication that Love would play on Sunday.

Clifford had been elevated each of the last two weeks because Love was sidelined with a sprained medial ligament in his left knee. The Packers needed someone to back up Malik Willis, and Clifford was allowed to be promoted three times during the season.

Love injured his knee in the final seconds of the Packers’ season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Sao Paulo, Brazil. His knee was hit from the side as he shoveled a pass to running back Josh Jacobs and writhed in pain as soon as he hit the ground.

According to a source, Love had a good first week of rehab and was listed as questionable on the injury report Friday before the Indianapolis game in Week 2. However, he was downgraded to doubtful on Saturday and did not play.

The Packers have named two cornerbacks from the practice squad to the gameday roster in Robert Rochell and Kamal Hadden, perhaps indicating that cornerback Jaire Alexander will not be available. Alexander is questionable due to hamstring and groin injuries.

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