In the second quarter of the Green Bay Packers’ Week 18 game against the Chicago Bears, Jordan Love left the game. What is Love’s injury and what is his status going forward?
What Happened to Jordan Love?
On a second quarter pass attempt, Love injured his right hand/elbow on a Bears defender. Love was seen shaking his right hand after the play, trying to loosen it up. However, trainers pulled him from the game.
Jordan Love –
I didn’t see much at his hand/wrist on the actual injury video.
He did get hit at the elbow and have his arm forced back by the defender, and they’re assessing elbow+last 2 digits.Concern on ulnar nerve/elbow injury > wrist imo.
pic.twitter.com/Qph8uc2uzc— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) January 5, 2025
While Love was getting his hand looked at on the sideline, Malik Willis took over at quarterback. He promptly led the Packers on a drive culminating in a Josh Jacobs touchdown.
The Packers have a Wild Card spot clinched, but still played their starters anyway, hoping that a win combined with a Washington Commanders loss would elevate the Packers to the No. 6 seed.
With the difference between the No. 6 and No. 7 seed minimal, plus the fact that the Packers don’t control their own destiny, it seems unlikely that Love will return to the game. Depending on what happens in the second half, the Packers could end up pulling all starters if the games are not unfolding the way they need them to.
Love was 7/12 for 69 yards at the time of his exit.
After the game, head coach Matt LaFleur said Love was fine and would have reentered the game had it mattered. Love will start the Packers’ Wild Card contest next week.
Potential Playoff Fantasy Football Impact of Love’s Injury
Green Bay’s playoff hopes (and their respective playoff values for managers playing postseason contests) hinge on Love’s health. The young QB has recently managed his risk taking, something that gives this offense the ability to stay on the field and produce.
- Weeks 12-18: 168 attempts, 0 INT
- Weeks 1-11: 257 attempts, 11 INTs
If this team if forced to rely on Malik Willis like they did in Weeks 2-3, we are looking at a very conservative offense that relies even more on Josh Jacobs. We saw him come in and complete a downfield pass to Tucker Kraft following Love’s departure, but the volume is unlikely to make any pass catcher in this offense overly appealing for playoff fantasy managers.