In a report on the injury status of Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports stated Malik Willis is expected to start while Love recovers from a sprained MCL.
“In the meantime, Malik Willis will get the start,” Glazer said on FOX’s NFL pre-game show on Sunday.
The Packers will welcome the Indianapolis Colts to Lambeau Field for the home opener next Sunday.
Glazer confirmed reports from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on a Grade 1 or Grade 2 sprain of Love’s MCL in his knee.
“It’s about a two-to-four- week injury,” Glazer said. “Matt LaFleur said we do want to be conservative with him, but much better news than it could have been.”
The Packers play the Colts, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams over the next four weeks.
Willis, a third-round pick of the Titans in 2022, was traded to the Packers for a seventh-round pick during final cuts last month. Over two seasons in Tennessee, Willis appeared in 11 games and made three starts. He was the No. 3 quarterback for the Titans this summer and likely to be released before the Packers swung the trade.
During regular season appearances, Willis completed 35 of 67 passes for 350 yards, zero touchdown passes and three interceptions while rushing for 144 yards and a touchdown.
The Packers were impressed with Willis’ progression as a pocket passer during the 2024 preseason. He took over the job as Love’s backup after Sean Clifford, who remains on the practice squad, and rookie Michael Pratt failed to earn the job during training camp.
Brandon Carwile of Packers Wire dug into Willis’ tape to highlight more about his game here.
Given Willis’ inexperience in the scheme and stage of development as a passer, LaFleur and the Packers offense might need to get creative to produce offense while Love recovers. Willis has a big arm and legitimate running ability. Can LaFleur scheme up easy throws and use all the talent around the quarterback position to help Willis navigate a tricky situation?