Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is out for about a week after undergoing surgery Tuesday to repair a ligament in his left thumb. In the meantime, Malik Willis will run the offense as the interim starter.
Willis, who arrived in Green Bay in a trade with the Titans last August, had to start two games early last season after Love suffered a knee injury in the season opener. The Packers won both of those starts, and Willis has continued to earn positive attention through his work since joining Green Bay.
That growing respect is also evident from Josh Jacobs, the starting running back who has watched Willis closely. Jacobs said Willis deserves to be a starter for any of the 32 NFL teams, praising his mental approach and overall abilities. “He’s a really good football player. We have complete confidence in him. I think he’s going to do well. I’m not really too worried about it,” Jacobs said, via Dominique Yates of the Journal Sentinel.
Last season, Willis completed 40 of 54 passes for 550 yards with three touchdowns and added 138 rushing yards with a rushing TD across seven appearances and two starts.
What this means for Green Bay: Willis has shown he can step in and operate the offense, and his teammates clearly believe he has the talent to perform at a high level. The immediate plan is to lean on Willis while Love recovers, and the organization will be watching his growth and decision-making closely over the coming week.
Additional notes for readers:
– Willis’ prior in-game experience with Green Bay gives the Packers a degree of continuity at the position while Love is sidelined.
– Fans should watch how the Packers tailor their game plan to Willis’ strengths during this interim period, and how the offense adapts to his style of play.
Summary: Jordan Love’s thumb surgery sidelines him for about a week, with Malik Willis stepping in as the starter. Willis has earned praise from teammates and has a proven track record of stepping up when needed, including two starts and multiple appearances last season. The situation offers a positive sign for Green Bay’s depth at quarterback as the team navigates the short-term absence.