Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love missed two starts early in the NFL season after suffering a knee injury in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
He may be in danger of missing another contest in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions.
Love exited Green Bay’s 30-27 Week 8 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third quarter after suffering a groin injury. He did not return, and that put into question his status for the Packers’ Week 9 showdown with the Detroit Lions.
Love’s status for Week 9 is complicated by the fact that the Packers have a Week 10 bye. Will Green Bay have him push through the injury and then given him the week of rest, or will they play it safe and have him sit out until he is fully healthy?
Here’s what to know about Love’s injury and his status for Green Bay’s matchup against the Lions.
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Jordan Love injury update
Love was a non-participant at Green Bay’s practice Wednesday but returned to the field Thursday. He was seen participating in drills but was listed as ‘limited’ on the Packers’ official injury report.
Love once again saw action in Friday’s practice. His level of participation will be important in helping determine whether he will play against the Lions or miss his third game of the season. If he is limited again, he will likely earn a ‘questionable’ tag for Sunday’s NFC North clash.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur indicated that Love was making progress after practice Wednesday.
‘He’s moving around better,’ LaFleur said, per ESPN. ‘We’ll see, again, we’ll take it one day a time. Certainly, yeah, we’ll push the envelope with that. I know he wants to play, but we’ll see where he’s at by the end of the week.’
It’s worth noting that the last time Love missed a game in Week 3, he was limited in practice at all three of the Packers’ sessions. Green Bay opted to play it safe with him at that time, and the Packers appear to be taking a similar approach this time with a Week 10 bye looming.
But Love is hoping that upcoming bye week won’t influence LaFleur’s decision.
‘I would definitely try and get back as fast as possible even with the bye being next week,’ Love told reporters.
Jordan Love status for Week 9 vs. Lions
Love seems to believe that he might have a chance to play in Week 9, as he told reporters after Wednesday’s practice.
‘I think it’s realistic,’ Love said when asked whether he would be able to play against the Lions.
Love even indicated that he might not need to practice to start Green Bay’s Week 9 contest.
‘Yeah, obviously not practicing during the week is not the ideal format for trying to play a game,’ he said. ‘Like I said, things happen, if that’s the scenario, I know I’ll be fine. But definitely it’s not the ideal scenario for going into a big week.’
Love has at least avoided that scenario by returning to practice Thursday. Now, his status will depend on whether LaFleur believes the quarterback can protect himself enough to start.