What is Jordan Love's status for Week 3? Latest Packers injury report & updates
The Green Bay Packers proved they can win with Malik Willis, and they will likely need to do it again in Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans.
The Packers initially listed Love as questionable for Week 2 before downgrading his status the following day, but they believed he had a shot to play against the Indianapolis Colts. With a few extra days of rest, Love has returned to practice.
Sixteen days separate Love's injury from this week's game, so he would need to beat the initial reported timeline to start this week. He suffered a sprained MCL in the season opener in Brazil, an injury that was expected to keep him out for at least three weeks.
Here are the latest updates for Week 3.
Jordan Love's status for Week 3: Latest injury updates
Jordan Love isn't expected to play vs. Titans
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Packers are preparing to start Malik Willis against the Titans. The Packers elevated Sean Clifford to the gameday roster, so this decision isn't surprising.
Jordan Love is questionable to play in Week 3
The Packers have listed Love as questionable on their final injury report. LaFleur and the coaching staff reiterated that he was "limited" at practice, but that's as far as they would go.
Love has now practiced every day this week, which is a great sign. Having returned on Wednesday, he continues to make progress by practicing in pads on Thursday. LaFleur refused to give further details, reiterating that his franchise quarterback was "limited" without adding any more context. Love said he is "hopeful" he can play in Week 3.
"It definitely feels a lot better," said Love. "I'm going to keep doing the treatment, keep doing the rehab. I was out there today, and I'm just trying to take it day by day and keep feeling it out. But it's feeling better."
His status remains uncertain, but Love hopes to get cleared this week.
Adam Schefter says there's a 50-50 chance Jordan Love will play in Week 3
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, "there is a chance" Love will return this week. He called it "day-by-day" and "50-50 at best."
Schefter noted that even if Love doesn't play this week, there's a good chance he will return in time for the Packers' home game against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4.
Full Packers injury report for Week 3 vs. Titans
Player | Position | Injury | Wed. | Thu. | Fri. | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kenny Clark | DT | Toe | LP | LP | LP | - |
Kingsley Enagbare | DE | Groin | LP | FP | FP | - |
Josh Jacobs | RB | Back | LP | LP | LP | - |
Elgton Jenkins | G | Illness/Glute | DNP | LP | LP | - |
Tucker Kraft | TE | Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | - |
Jordan Love | QB | Knee | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
Jordan Morgan | G | Shoulder | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
Josh Myers | C | Ankle | LP | LP | LP | - |
Jayden Reed | WR | Calf | DNP | LP | LP | - |
Zach Tom | T | Quadricep | LP | LP | LP | - |
Carrington Valentine | CB | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
Rasheed Walker | T | Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | - |
Love returned to practice, but almost his entire offensive line is hurt. Elgton Jenkins and Jordan Morgan missed Wednesday's practice (but Jenkins returned on Thursday), while Rasheed Walker, Zach Tom, and Josh Myers were limited. It further complicates Love's status, because the Packers shouldn't want him to return if most of his offensive line are not playing. That's a recipe for disaster.
Tight end Tucker Kraft and wide receiver Jayden Reed—two crucial players to help Love if he's active—are also on the injury report.
LaFleur has no concerns with running back Josh Jacobs, who is on the injury report for the second straight week due to a back issue. He should be good to go in Week 3.
Full Titans injury report for Week 3
Player | Position | Injury | Wed. | Thu. | Fri. | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jeffrey Simmons | DT | NIR/Rest | DNP | FP | FP | - |
L'Jarius Sneed | CB | NIR/Rest | DNP | FP | FP | - |
Tyjae Spears | RB | Ankle | DNP | LP | FP | Questionable |
Luke Gifford | LB | Back | - | DNP | FP | - |
The Titans are far healthier than the Packers, with only four players on their injury report, and two are non-injury related. The only injured players are running back Tyjae Spears and linebacker Luke Gifford.
Spears is the No. 2 running back on Tennessee's depth chart behind Tony Pollard and has 10 carries for 41 yards in the opening two games of the season. Gifford has played exclusively on special teams this season.
Jordan Love's injury history
Date | Injury |
---|---|
November 2018 | Concussion |
August 2021 | Shoulder |
September 2024 | Sprained MCL |
Love hasn't missed much time due to injury in his career, both in college and the NFL.
He suffered a concussion in a game against Hawaii in 2018 but didn't miss a game for Utah State, starting the following week against San Jose State.
In his second preseason with the Packers, Love suffered a shoulder injury that kept him out of one preseason game, but he didn't miss any time in the regular season as Aaron Rodgers' backup.
A sprained MCL is the first injury to cost him time in the NFL. Fortunately, it's a short-term issue, but it kept him out of the Packers' win over the Colts in Week 2.
Who is Jordan Love's backup?
In Week 2, the Packers started Malik Willis over Sean Clifford with Love out of the lineup. Willis had less than three weeks to learn the playbook before making his first Packers start, but he did everything he needed to.
Willis completed 12 of 14 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown and added 41 rushing yards on six attempts. Many wondered whether the Packers would use both Willis and Clifford, but they did not. Willis played every offensive snap and has clearly secured the backup quarterback job behind Love.