Despite Jordan Love’s knee injury holding him out of practice, Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur is still open to the quarterback playing against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. In the third-to-final play of the Packers’ 34-29 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, Love suffered a left medial collateral ligament injury. Love doesn’t need to practise this week in order to be prepared for Sunday’s game, according to LaFleur.
However, LaFleur added, “he needs to be cleared, like I told you guys.” “He must feel secure enough to play, and we must ensure that he can defend himself. We won’t even entertain it till that time. As Love continues to recuperate, Malik Willis is getting set to start for Green Bay, just a few weeks after the Packers traded for him from the Tennessee Titans.
Willis was asked on Wednesday how much of the playbook he understands.
“I’m not sure I’d put a percentage on it,” Willis said. “I’m just trying to learn what we have each day, study it the night before, and then execute it.”
When Marcus Mariota was hurt in the season opener, the Titans had to turn to Blaine Gabbert, and LaFleur contrasted the situation to his tenure as offensive coordinator for Tennessee in 2018. Gabbert had spent all of training camp with the Titans, at least in that scenario. Willis was acquired by the Packers in a trade that was completed on August 27. Only three starts have Willis’ career tallied, all coming in 2022 as a rookie with Tennessee. Willis did not pass for more than 100 yards in any of the Titans’ two losses in those contests. Willis completed 6 of 10 passes for 55 yards and one interception in a 17-10 victory over Houston, with Tennessee attempting only one pass after halftime.
Willis was 5 of 16 for 80 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in a 20-17 overtime loss at Kansas City. He also was 14 of 23 for 99 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns in a 19-14 home loss to the Texans.
“I wasn’t ready yet, but I had to go in,” Willis said on Wednesday about his rookie season. “I’m a different player now.”
Willis believes he has learned a lot since then and feels more prepared for this new chance to start. He credits his work last year, even though he only played in three games as a reserve.
“You just keep preparing until you get a chance,” said Willis, a 2022 third-round pick from Liberty. “That’s how this league works.
There are guys like Taylor Heinicke and others around the league who weren’t starting or playing, but they kept working hard. When they finally got their chance, they made the most of it. All you can do is put something good on tape and be ready to perform at your best.”
The Titans decided they didn’t need Willis after Mason Rudolph won the backup spot behind Will Levis. The Packers then traded a 2025 seventh-round pick to get Willis.
They didn’t realize at the time how soon they would need him.
Green Bay’s receivers say they trust Willis. Dontayvion Wicks mentioned he knew Willis from their nearby colleges, with Wicks at Virginia and Willis at Liberty. Jayden Reed said he was impressed by Willis’ throws.
“That he could spin it, that was my first thought when I saw him throw the ball,” Reed said.
Willis will have a real chance to make an impact on Sunday. He is working hard to build chemistry with his new teammates.
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