Ian Rapoport reveals the game Jordan Love is targeting Packers return

Jordan Love won't play in the Green Bay Packers' home opener against the Indianapolis Colts, but his return may not be far away.

The Packers initially listed Love as questionable to play, briefly lifting fans' hopes of a surprise return in Week 2. However, they downgraded his status to doubtful on Saturday, all but confirming that Malik Willis will make his first NFL start in almost two years.

Green Bay has to navigate through its upcoming schedule without its franchise quarterback, but Love isn't expecting to face long on the sideline.

Jordan Love is reportedly targeting a Week 5 return from knee injury

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport provided an important update about Love's status on Sunday.

"My understanding is that he is targeting Week 5, which is October 6, against his hometown team growing up, the Los Angeles Rams," said Rapoport. "The injury is not quite as bad as they originally thought."

In this scenario, Love would miss three games—today against Indianapolis, Week 3 at the Tennessee Titans, and Week 4 at home against the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers would likely need to win at least one, potentially two, of those games without Love, but it's a far more favorable outcome than the initial fears when Love went down in Brazil.

It puts pressure on the rest of the team to deliver. Jeff Hafley's defense needs a bounce-back performance after allowing 34 points to the Philadelphia Eagles. Malik Willis needs to do enough to keep the offense moving, while Matt LaFleur must find ways to get the ball into the hands of the Packers' playmakers. Indianapolis will make it difficult by stacking the box, but LaFleur must provide an answer for his offense.

Can the Packers win without Love? They need to get through a few games, but their star quarterback could be back by Week 5.

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