SAO PAULO (AP) — Green Bay could have lost much more than just one game in its opener.
Quarterback Jordan Love limped off the field with assistance after being injured in the final seconds of the Packers’ game. 34-29 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday night. Packers coach Matt LaFleur had no update on Love after the game.
“We know what kind of guy he is and how he approaches everything,” said wide receiver Christian Watson. “Whatever it is, I know he’s going to get through it. We’re going to get through it.”
The injury occurred shortly after Love threw a 33-yard pass to Jayden Reed that brought the Packers near the halfway line. On the next play, Love was heavily pressured by Jalen Carter and Josh Sweat as he threw a reverse pass to Josh Jacobs.
Carter was on the ground holding Love’s left leg when Sweat pushed the quarterback to the ground.
The Packers are now eagerly awaiting news on the severity of his injury.
Love signed a four years, $220 million extension this summer after leading the NFL’s youngest team to the playoffs last season, his first as a starter. He completed 64.2% of his passes for 4,159 yards with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season, helping the Packers to a 10-9 record.
The only other quarterbacks to throw for at least 4,000 yards and 32 touchdowns in their first season with multiple starts were Kurt Warner in 1999 and Patrick Mahomes in 2018. The only quarterbacks to throw more than 32 touchdown passes in their first season with multiple starts were Mahomes (50), Warner (41) and Daunte Culpepper (33 in 2000).
Love’s rise was the main reason the Packers entered the season believing they had legitimate Super Bowl ambitions.
“This is the franchise,” defensive end Kenny Clark said. “Hopefully he can be back next week and be OK.”
The Packers don’t have much experience behind Love.
Malik Willis took over for Love for the last 6 seconds and was sacked before attempting a desperate pass on the last play. The Packers sent a seventh-round pick to the Tennessee Titans last week to Buy Willis and make him their backup quarterback.
Willis has started three times in his career, all in his rookie season in 2022. In none of those games has he thrown for more than 100 yards.
Green Bay also has 2023 fifth-round pick Sean Clifford on its practice squad.
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