(Update: Jordan Love was downgraded to OUT after being listed as questionable. Malik Willis is questionable but is expected to start)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love suffered a concussion during the Week 16 loss to the Chicago Bears, casting uncertainty over his availability for the upcoming game.
Love exited the game after sustaining a blow and did not return, forcing backup Malik Willis to finish the contest. After the game, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Willis was “pretty banged up” by the end of the night with a shoulder injury.
According to Dr. David Chao, Pro Football Doc, concussion evaluations are not determined by the severity of a single hit. “You can’t say, ‘Wow, that was a hard hit, he’s out,’ or ‘That wasn’t a bad hit, he’s going to play,’” Chao said. “It doesn’t work that way.”
Chao explained that Love’s status will depend on whether he experiences symptoms after the game or during the practice week. “It’s based on when he clears from symptoms. If we get word that he had symptoms after the game or during the week, he’s out — he’s going to miss,” Chao said. “The bottom line is he needs to be limited practice by Thursday at the latest — or the second reported practice of the week — and then get to full practice by the final reported practice of the week in order to be cleared to play.”
Willis, who replaced Love, is also dealing with an injury of his own. Chao said video review showed Willis landing hard on his right shoulder on the final play of regulation. “He was dumped onto his right shoulder, making it likely a right AC joint sprain,” Chao said. Willis played in overtime and appeared functional, including completing a long pass to Jayden Reed, but Chao noted that overnight swelling has created additional concern about his status.
The Green Bay Packers now face questions at quarterback as they await further updates on both Love’s concussion protocol and Willis’ shoulder heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
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