Jordan Love and the Packers' offense closed the 2023 season on an unbelievable hot streak, scoring 27-plus points in six of their final nine games of the year. After Love threw for 260 yards and two scores in a 29-34 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1, it appeared that the Packers offense had picked up right where they left off.
The Packers' hopes of a big second year in the Jordan Love era briefly came to a screeching halt after Love suffered what appeared to be a significant knee injury in Week 1. Thankfully there was no structural damage to Love's knee and his recovery timeline was deemed to be a matter of weeks, not months.
Love did not appear in Week 3 after rumblings of his return, but a Week 4 return seems realistic. What's the latest on his knee injury and can we expect to see him on the field this week?
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Will Jordan Love play this week? Injury update on Packers' QB
It's official — Love is making his return to the Packers' lineup in Week 4. He is active for the matchup against the Vikings on Sunday.
His prospective return is right in line with the 3-4 week timeline that was bandied about after he initially suffered his knee injury.
Love was made limited in all three practice sessions held this week. However, it appears he's done enough behind the scenes to warrant head coach Matt LaFleur's selection for Green Bay's divisional duel with the Vikings.
Packers' QB Depth Chart: Who is Jordan Love's Backup?
Love has been sidelined for two straight weeks so there aren't many questions as to who his replacement will be if he can't suit up on Sunday. Malik Willis will take the field in Week 4 if Green Bay opts to err on the side of caution with Love's recovery.
Willis has exceeded all expectations in relief of Love this season. Many regarded him as one of the worst backup options in the league and someone who simply wasn't an NFL-caliber quarterback. Willis has done everything in his power to prove them wrong. He hasn't been the direct cause of the Packers' success (324 passing yards in two starts), but he has successfully led Green Bay to two wins in as many games.
If Willis remains the starter for a third game, expect head coach Matt LaFleur to deploy a run-heavy offensive game plan once again. Green Bay will lean on Josh Jacobs and hope Willis can game-manage en route to a victory
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Jordan Love fantasy outlook Week 4
If Jordan Love is on your fantasy team, chances are you have another reasonable fantasy option at quarterback on your roster. It would likely be best to roll with your fill-in quarterback even with Love playing.
First, Love will undoubtedly be less than 100 percent if he plays. An ailing knee may not impact his throwing ability, but it may impact his playing time. NFL insider Diana Russini is reporting that Willis may take some snaps even if he's not the starter. If Willis comes in to take some valuable red zone work and steals a touchdown from Love, fantasy managers would be devastated.
This is also a brutal matchup for Love to return to. Brian Flores has been building a petrifying defense in Minnesota this season. They have shut down Brock Purdy and C.J. Stroud in recent weeks and are looking like one of the league's top defensive units.
Everything is setting up for Love to struggle (from a fantasy perspective) in his return and he is best left on benches regardless of his availability.
