Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love gives himself a “realistic” chance to play Sunday against the visiting Detroit Lions, even if he doesn’t practice all week because of a groin injury.
Love didn’t practice on Wednesday, when he was limited to being a spectator and rode an exercise bike during the stretching period. He had strained his groin and exited in the second half of the Packers’ 30-27 victory last Sunday over the host Jacksonville Jaguars.
“Yeah, obviously not practicing during the week is not the ideal format for trying to play a game,” Love said on Wednesday. “Like I said, things happen, if that’s the scenario, I know I’ll be fine. But definitely it’s not the ideal scenario for going into a big week.”
Still, Love called it “realistic” that he could be on the field to face the Lions (6-1), who lead the NFC North by a half-game over the Packers (6-2).
Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur will have something to say about Love playing on Sunday, but as of Wednesday he said it “potentially” could happen.
“He’s moving around better,” LaFleur said. “We’ll see, again, we’ll take it one day at a time. Certainly, yeah, we’ll push the envelope with that. I know he wants to play, but we’ll see where he’s at by the end of the week.”
Love said he will try to get back this week, even though the team has a bye next week. Love understands he has to show LaFleur that he is able to protect himself.
“I think just being able to play, move around in the pocket and not trying to hurt myself further by playing … I think that’s what he means by that,” Love said. “But for me, just being able to move around a little bit and just be myself out there playing and not just trying to be stuck in the pocket not being able to move if I need to move.”
If Love isn’t ready to play, Malik Willis will be behind center. Willis had replaced Love in Weeks 2 and 3 when he was out due to a sprained MCL in his left knee, and the former Tennessee Titan entered in the third quarter last Sunday. Love appeared to get hurt in the first quarter and limped through several series.
Love, who turns 26 on Saturday, has passed for 1,547 yards, 15 touchdowns and a co-league-high nine interceptions in six starts this season.
Willis, 25, is 29-of-39 passing (74.4 percent) for 380 yards, three TDs and no picks in four games (two starts) in his first season with the Packers.
Green Bay was without Love at Wednesday’s session as well as running back Josh Jacobs (ankle), cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) and three starting offensive linemen in left tackle Rasheed Walker (knee), left guard Elgton Jenkins (glute) and center Josh Myers (wrist).
