Expect to see Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love for a few possessions to open Friday’s preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Coach Matt LaFleur said there was a “pretty good chance” that Love and his first-team teammates on offense would play snaps in the preseason opener, and the Packers first-year starting quarterback all but confirmed the plan after Wednesday’s practice.
“Yeah, the plan to get a couple of series out there. Not sure how many yet. We’re going to base it off practice, how it went,” Love said. “But I’m excited, I definitely want to be out there, get some reps, get back in the game mode.”
The Packers will review Wednesday’s joint practice and have a walk-through on Thursday before Friday’s preseason game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
Despite getting a chance to face the Bengals’ first-team defense during Wednesday’s practice, Love said there’s value in getting on the field in a true live-game situation before the regular season.
“Just to get that feeling, being back out there, getting live reps. I definitely think it’s important,” Love said.
The Packers open the regular season on Sept. 10 against the Bears. Love even said that taking a hit or two wouldn’t be the worst thing in terms of preparing himself for Week 1.
“I haven’t been hit since last year,” Love said. “I’m never trying to get hit, that’s never the goal, but it does prepare you, get your mind back in that live mentality.”
Love has thrown only 83 career passes in the regular season, including just 21 last season. No preseason games were played in 2020, but Love was on the field for five preseason games between 2021 and 2022. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 271 yards, one touchdown and one interception in 2021, and then completed 41 of 74 passes for 437 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions in 2022.