Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur says the door remains “pretty open” for quarterback Jordan Love to start Sunday’s home opener against the Indianapolis Colts.
But Saturday’s developments point toward Love possibly serving as a spectator due to his left knee injury.
One day after Love was listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report, Green Bay downgraded him to doubtful for the contest against the Colts and elevated Sean Clifford from the practice squad. Clifford would serve as the backup if Malik Willis starts.
Love sustained a sprained MCL late in a Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, an injury with a recovery timetable of three to six weeks. Putting Love on injured reserve would require him to miss four games.
Love did not practice all week and has not yet received medical clearance to play, LaFleur said Friday.
Willis took the final two snaps of Green Bay’s 34-29 defeat in Brazil, throwing an incompletion and taking a sack.
Green Bay (0-1) acquired Willis from the Tennessee Titans for a seventh-round pick on the eve of final roster cuts in August.
LaFleur lauded Willis’ diligence and preparation to date. The third-year pro out of Liberty is 35-for-67 for 350 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions in 12 career games.
“It’s not like we’re dealing with a rookie here,” LaFleur said. “He’s got a process. I thought he did a great job in his three weeks, which feels like three months since he’s been here, of being dialed in.”
Love passed for 260 yards and touchdowns to Jayden Reed and Christian Watson as well as an interception before getting injured. Running back Josh Jacobs rushed 16 times for 84 yards in his team debut, with 32 yards coming on one carry.
After struggling to contain Eagles dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Packers face a similar test in Colts QB Anthony Richardson.
Back under center for Indianapolis (0-1) after an injury-shortened rookie season, Richardson kept the Colts afloat in a season-opening 29-27 home loss to the Houston Texans despite inconsistency.
Richardson passed for 212 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, with both scores covering more than 50 yards.
“He’s got a huge arm that allows us to push the ball down the field, and then we’ve got the speed on the outside to go get it,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said. “I think when you’re explosive like that in the pass game, instead of having those 12-, 13-, 14-play drives, you get an opportunity to hit some big ones.”
Richardson rushed for a team-leading 56 yards, including a 3-yard TD with 2:14 that drew Indianapolis within the final margin.
The Colts endured a substantial injury of their own in Week 1, as starting cornerback JuJu Brents sustained a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve — a designation the Packers didn’t assign to Love.
Veteran Kenny Moore II looms as a possibility to start at the other corner opposite Jaylon Jones and says he’s ready to follow Steichen’s “next man up” mantra if summoned.
“It speaks true to always being ready,” Moore said, “always being prepared.”
Houston gained 417 yards of offense against Indianapolis, including a 213-yard effort on the ground.
If the Packers can duplicate that sort of success in the run game, Willis won’t need to be supernatural, although he admittedly is cramming to get up to speed.
“The reality is I just got here, so it’s gonna be a little bit in overdrive,” he said. “It’s been pretty much around the clock since I got here. You try to come in and be ready to go if you’re called upon.”
Green Bay also listed Reed (calf/shin) and running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) as questionable for Sunday.
The Colts ruled out safety Julian Blackmon (shoulder), while defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (back), defensive end Kwity Paye (hamstring) and receiver Josh Downs (ankle) are questionable.
