With Jordan Love sidelined, Green Bay Packers supporters have been left with major worries about the team's season, but one decision made this week should offer Packers Nation hope.
On Wednesday, September 11, ESPN's Dan Graziano claimed that Green Bay will not place Love on the injured reserve list (IR), implying that he could return to the field ahead of schedule.
"It's noteworthy that the Packers did not put Love on injured reserve Monday," said Graziano. "That could indicate some level of optimism that he might not have to miss four games."
Love's MCL sprain might take up to six weeks to fully recover. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Graziano, the Packers want to focus on surviving Weeks 2-5 with a strong running game and defense.
By placing Love on injured reserve, the Packers may have freed up another roster slot. That they did not gives hope that the quarterback will return to the lineup in either Week 3 or Week 4.
One thing is certain: Love will not play when the Packers meet the Indianapolis Colts this weekend at Lambeau Field. Matt LaFleur, the head coach, has already chosen backup quarterback Malik Willis the starter for that game.
Green Bay dealt a 2025 seventh-round selection pick to the Tennessee Titans for Willis on August 26, so he will have been with the team for less than three weeks when he makes his fourth start of his professional career on Sunday.
Sean Clifford, the Packers' quarterback on the practice squad, is expected to be promoted to the main roster and backup Willis against the Colts. Clifford was picked in the fifth round by Green Bay in 2023,