The Green Bay Packers have already played (and won) two games without starting quarterback Jordan Love this season. Head coach Matt LaFleur doesn’t want to be without Love again, but the Packers’ QB1 left Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with an apparent injury.
What Happened to Packers QB Jordan Love in Week 8?
Love was limping near the end of the first half but never left Sunday’s game. While he briefly went into the blue medical tent, Love did not miss a snap before halftime.
However, Love went down after being bumped by a Jaguars defender on a third-down play on Green Bay’s first third-quarter drive. He initially went down on his back before leaving the field with trainers.
Love never re-entered the medical tent, but he was still on the sidelines when the Packers began their next offensive series. While Love had his helmet on, QB2 Malik Willis remained under center.
Doesn’t look like Jordan Love’s knee is doing well. He has been limping throughout this game. #Packers #Jaguars pic.twitter.com/bbV9Oy0Foo
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) October 27, 2024
LaFleur told Fox’s broadcast at halftime that Love “can’t really move” and noted that Green Bay would need to adjust his play-calling for the second half.
The Packers listed Love as questionable to return to Week 8 with a groin injury. However, he never re-entered the game.
After Green Bay’s win, LaFleur admitted the Packers are worried about Love’s groin issue.
“Obviously high level of concern,” LaFleur said, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. ” ….I think everybody could see him struggling to move around and I just got to a point where we didn’t, he didn’t feel like he could protect himself.”
Love completed 14 of 22 attempts for 196 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception before leaving Sunday’s game
Willis, who won two games as Love’s replacement in Weeks 2 and 3, entered Week 8 after Green Bay’s starter went down. He connected on four of five attempts for 56 yards and a touchdown in the Packers’ victory, helping the club move to 6-2.
Willis completed 12 of 14 throws for 122 yards and a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 before throwing for 202 and scoring two total TDs against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3.
Pro Football Network ranked Willis as the NFL’s 10th-best backup quarterback.
The Packers will face the Detroit Lions in a Week 9 matchup that will determine first place in the NFC North. Green Bay has a Week 10 bye before taking on the Chicago Bears in Week 11 and the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12.
Fantasy Implications of Love’s Injury
We’ve seen Love miss time, and it was bad news for the fantasy prospects of the passing game — by design. Willis was able to execute a run-heavy offense that netted Green Bay two wins but doesn’t project optimism for any of the pass catchers in this offense (two are started consistently, and another three are on the Flex radar when everything is going right).
Josh Jacobs would see a bump in value, while Emanuel Wilson might be worth a stash due to raw volume.
— PFN Analyst Kyle Soppe
PFN+ Metrics on Love’s Injury
Just as Love looked to be returning to his best, he got hurt again. The last two weeks saw him post his best QB+ grades of the season (B+ in Week 6 and C+ in Week 7). The last three weeks have seen the Packers’ offense post their best Offense+ grades of the year, with a C+ in Weeks 5 and 7 and then a B- in Week 6.
Willis did well when he stepped in earlier in the season, posting the 31st-highest QB+ of the season to date (Week 3 vs. Tennessee). However, the offense was not as efficient under Willis, posting a C+ in Week 2 and a C in Week 3. The offense led by Love has posted four Offense+ grades of C+ or above since he returned in Week 4.
— PFN Analyst Ben Rolfe