In the final seconds after Philadelphia’s suffocating seven-minute drive iced its 34-29 win over Green Bay Friday night, the NFL held its collective breath when Packers quarterback Jordan Love injured his left knee.
After noting Love’s ACL survived the injury, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported more good news Saturday, that the initial estimated return is 3-6 weeks. Pelissero also said the team will seek a second opinion on Love’s MCL with some optimistic he could be back under center at the earlier end of that timeline.
Enter Malik Willis, who took the final two snaps Friday in Brazil after Love left the game. Green Bay acquired Willis from Tennessee for a seventh-round pick on Aug. 26. The Titans’ third-round selection in the 2022 draft, Willis started three games as a rookie, going 1-2. Over his NFL career, he’s compiled a 48.7 passer rating, having completed 35 of 67 passes (52.2 percent) for 350 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions.
Third-stringer Sean Clifford backed up Love last season but struggled early in camp when Love sat out awaiting his new contract, per ESPN.com beat writer Rob Demovsky. Last season as a rookie, Clifford completed only one pass. After the Packers’ final roster reduction, Clifford went unclaimed on waivers and returned to the team in a practice-squad role.
Should Willis start at home against Indianapolis Sept. 15, he’ll get two more days of preparation, although the Packers endured a grueling flight of 10-plus hours following their game in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Green Bay’s Week 3 opponent in Tennessee – against Willis’ former teammates — at Nissan Stadium on Sept. 22.