Packers quarterback gamble could pay off with unexpected Love boost on way

The Green Bay Packers decided not to sign a veteran quarterback.

And now their stud signal-caller Jordan Love is back in contention for a return to action against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3

The talented passer, in his second year as the Packers starter, was expected to miss at least three weeks after suffering a knee injury in Week 1.

But NFL insider Adam Schefter has been told that Love could complete a shock ahead-of-schedule return after practicing for the first time on Wednesday.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays this week,” a source told Schefter ahead of Sunday’s showdown.

“It’s definitely day-by-day like he said, and 50-50 at best right now.”

Love suffered what looked like a potentially serious lower leg injury with just six seconds remaining in the 34-29 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil.

Green Bay faced going 0-2 to start the season without the 25-year-old, who signed a four-year extension worth $220million in July.

But bosses decided to gamble on playing inexperienced backup Malik Willis against the Indianapolis Colts instead of picking up a veteran – most notably Ryan Tannehill who is without a team.

Willis completed 12 of 14 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown to steer his side to a 16-12 win.

Running back Josh Jacobs carried much of the load with 32 carries for 152 yards.

That would leave the Packers in a strong position after rolling the dice on their No.1 quarterback’s fitness.

3

3

Love has admitted that he feared the worst when he went down against the Eagles.

“When it happened, it was one of those things, it was very scary, definitely not knowing what happened,” he said per SI.com.

“I’ve never had an ACL or anything like that, so I didn’t know what that felt like, didn’t know what that might be.

“A lot of thoughts went through my head, for sure.”

If Willis is under center on Sunday, he will be playing with a chip on his shoulder.

The 25-year-old was drafted by the Titans in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

He started just three games before being traded to the Packers for a seventh-round pick in August.

“Things happened,” said Willis,.

“So I’m here now and grateful to coach (LaFleur) and the GM and everybody who’s a part of this.

“I didn’t wake up thinking I was going to be traded, no sir.

“So it definitely caught me by surprise. More than anything, you just take it (for) what it is.

“Quick turnaround, and the season’s starting. There’s no more lounging around and kinda getting ready for the season.

“This is what it is. There’s no time to really think about it. It’s time to go.”

talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio – join us as Week 3 continues on talkSPORT2 from 6pm on Sunday September 22 when the Houston Texans travel to the Minnesota Vikings

Catch up with all the latest NFL news with talkSPORT’s brand new, dedicated YouTube channel – talkSPORT End Zone.

Each week, in The Run Down, Will Gavin, Brian T. Smith and a host of guests will take you through the NFL talking points, and look ahead to the latest round of action.

Alongside that we will have features, exclusive interviews and much more. Subscribe to the channel now, and watch the latest episode by hitting play on the button below