Packers: Matt LaFleur unsure if Jordan Love will play vs. Bills

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur remains unsure whether second-year Jordan Love will be able to return for this week’s preseason finale.

Jordan Love passed his first preseason test with an impressive performance a couple of weeks ago, but it came at a cost. The Green Bay Packers‘ 2020 first-round pick injured his shoulder against the Houston Texans.

It kept him sidelined for the Packers’ second preseason game last week versus the New York Jets, and it leaves his status for Saturday’s final exhibition contest against the Buffalo Bills in doubt.

The Packers are smartly being cautious with his injury, but the encouraging news is that he’s making good progress. On Thursday, Matt LaFleur was asked about the possibility of Love playing this weekend.

“I thought he looked good,” LaFleur said. “He said there’s no pain, so we’ll let it go through the week and we’ll see.”

It’s encouraging to hear that Love is pain-free, and that has to be a good sign for his availability in Saturday’s game. That said, the Packers are unlikely to risk a more serious injury to Love by rushing him back, as valuable as the preseason reps are for him.

If he’s 100 percent and able to go, clearly it will be good news. All the practice reps Love can get, the better. Preseason presents different challenges than Love will be used to at practice. He gets to face different defenses in live game action with fans in attendance.

In his first preseason game, Love completed 12 of 17 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. Overall, it was an impressive performance in his first Packers game.

Love will be the backup QB this year, but the hope is he won’t be needed with Aaron Rodgers staying healthy. Hopefully he’ll be ready to go for Saturday’s final preseason game against the Bills.