The Green Bay Packers will face the Tennessee Titans in Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season. The Packers are 1-1 and facing an 0-2 Titans team, and will be without starting quarterback Jordan Love.
The Packers were on the road in Week 1, taking on the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil. Love was trying to lead a fourth-quarter comeback but was tackled awkwardly by the Philadelphia defense. The quarterback hobbled off the field, and suddenly, the Packers' season was in question. If it was a torn ACL, Green Bay was about to face an uphill battle just after one game.
Jordan Love -
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 7, 2024
Concern for Left MCL sprain and/or high ankle sprain.
He’s hobbling on the sideline but didn’t have trainers working on him on the bench. pic.twitter.com/MZ8EdPKhD3
Luckily, Love only suffered a knee sprain and was given a return timeline of four to six weeks. He missed the team's Week 2 win over the Indianapolis Colts, which was led by backup quarterback Malik Willis. Love returned to practice in Week 3, sparking speculation on whether or not he would be able to suit up against the Titans. The Sporting News brings you the latest updates on whether or not the Green Bay quarterback will play in Week 3.
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Will Jordan Love play in Week 3?
Love returned to practice Wednesday and was listed as a limited participant. He logged limited participation Thursday and Friday, resulting in him being tagged questionable for the game.
While Love did some work on the field prior to Week 3, he was listed as inactive on the team's official injury report. Love will not play against the Titans, putting the focus on the team's Week 4 matchup against the Vikings.
The move was expected. It was reported early Sunday that Willis would get the start over Love. The only question was whether Love would be inactive for the game.
Packerrs QB Malik Willis is Sunday’s likely starter, per sources. Packers are doing their best to keep their QB private plans private, but all signs that point to Willis starting against his former Titans team. pic.twitter.com/q2vTZmh6xc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 22, 2024
Green Bay did activate third-string quarterback Sean Clifford, which suggested Love would be inactive. Clifford will backup Willis, who would start for the second consecutive week.
Despite the injury, Love was able to go through pregame warmups.
Jordan Love’s pregame. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/AMPN4ag0Qm
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) September 22, 2024
After returning to practice and going through pregame warmups Sunday, Love could return to action against the Vikings in Week 4.
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Is Jordan Love injured?
Yes. Love suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in Week 1 against the Eagles. His initial return time was four to six weeks, but, notably, the Packers didn't add him to injured reserve. That would have forced him to miss the next four games, so Green Bay must have gotten some feedback from either doctors or Love himself that the quarterback could return sooner.
It was more surprising in Week 3 that Love was questionable. While he ultimately was ruled inactive, Love is seemingly close to returning from the injury earlier than expected.
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Jordan Love contract
For a large part of this NFL offseason, Love was the highest-paid player in NFL history. Despite only being the starter for one season, he impressed the front office so much that they inked him to a four-year, $220 million with $160.3 million guaranteed, per Spotrac.
Love is linked to the Packers through the 2028 season and will currently test free agency in 2029. Dak Prescott unseated Love as the highest-paid player when he was signed to a four-year, $240 million contract extension by the Dallas Cowboys ahead of their Week 1 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
