Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is showing improvement in his recovery from a knee injury, reporting that he’s practicing with fewer limitations and feeling more mobile this week. However, it’s still unclear if Love will be ready to return for the Packers’ NFC North matchup against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Love has missed the last two games after injuring his left medial collateral ligament during the Packers’ season-opening 34-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. This injury occurred in the final series of the game, and since then, Love has been practicing on a limited basis for two consecutive weeks.
In Love’s absence, backup quarterback Malik Willis has stepped up, leading the Packers to victories against the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans, bringing Green Bay’s record to 2-1. Despite Willis’ solid performance, Love is eager to return to the field.
“I feel like I’m improving every day, moving around better, and practicing with fewer restrictions,” Love said. He also mentioned that he’s assessing his readiness based on how his body feels during drills and how well he can run. While Love came close to playing in the Packers’ last game, a 30-14 win over Tennessee, he and the coaching staff ultimately decided that he wasn’t quite ready.
Love acknowledged the significance of this week’s game against the Vikings, a divisional rival and a 3-0 team. “I’ve been pushing myself to get back as quickly as possible, regardless of the opponent,” he said. “But this week, facing an NFC North opponent and an undefeated team, it would definitely mean a lot to be back on the field.”
His ability to move effectively will be key if he does play, especially since the Vikings’ defense currently leads the NFL with 16 sacks. Love’s mobility and decision-making will be crucial for the Packers as they aim to protect their quarterback and maintain momentum in the face of a strong defensive front.
Although Love remains optimistic about his progress, he stopped short of making any promises about his availability for Sunday’s game, leaving the final decision up to how he feels closer to game time.