Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love did not practice on Wednesday. However, he is still hopeful about being able to play on Sunday after straining his groin, which prevented him from finishing the 30-27 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“I’ve made progress,” Love said. “It’s definitely feeling better. I think every day there will be some improvements to it, but definitely feels better than it did on Sunday.”
Love was one of several key Packers players who missed practice on Wednesday due to injuries. When asked how likely it was that he could play against the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (6-1) on Sunday, Love responded, “I think it’s realistic.”
He got hurt during the first series of the game while rolling out to his right on a third down play. Love continued playing until he fell to the ground near the sideline after completing a pass to Josh Jacobs early in the third quarter.
“(It) definitely was something that was bothering me throughout the game,” Love said. “I tried to play through it and obviously got to a point where I just couldn’t keep going anymore.”
This isn’t the first time this season that the Packers have faced uncertainty about their quarterback. The difference now is that they feel more confident in their chances if Love can’t play, thanks to the performance of backup quarterback Malik Willis.
Love had previously injured his left medial collateral ligament in a 34-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener, which caused him to miss the next two games. This led the Packers to rely on Malik Willis, who had just been traded from the Tennessee Titans on August 27.
He’s having a standout season as a backup. After completing 53% of his passes (35 of 66) with three interceptions and no touchdown passes in two seasons with the Titans, Willis has now completed 74.4% of his attempts (29 of 39) this season, throwing three touchdown passes without any interceptions.
Willis helped the Packers win against the Indianapolis Colts and Titans while Love was out. He also made an important play in Jacksonville, completing a 51-yard pass to Jayden Reed that set up Brandon McManus’ game-winning 24-yard field goal.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur mentioned on Wednesday that he would feel “much more confident” about the team’s chances if Love cannot play, thanks to Willis’ performance.
After Sunday’s game, LaFleur praised how Willis stays calm under pressure and doesn’t let big moments overwhelm him.
Willis attributes his calmness to his faith. However, when asked if winning those two earlier games gave him more confidence, he took a different approach.
“I don’t think it matters,” Willis said. “It’s easy to win, it’s easy to lose in this league. It’s just how it’s dealt. You’ve just got to be able to be ready when the time comes and work hard each day to get better.
I feel like that’s more important than being confident by a couple of wins.
These are different teams. Each team is different, and each game is its own game.” The Packers will need strong quarterback play to defeat the Lions, especially since they might be missing some key players.
Jacobs (ankle), cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee), guard Elgton Jenkins (glute), center Josh Myers (wrist), left tackle Rasheed Walker (knee), and safety Evan Williams (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. Linebacker Quay Walker practiced fully after missing the Jaguars game due to a concussion.
Jacobs felt confident after practice that he would be ready for Sunday. “Just managing my body, man,” Jacobs said. “I’ll be good come game time.”
