Packers HC Matt LaFleur sees encouraging sign in quarterback Malik Willis

Gameplanning for any week in the NFL is a big task. Now imagine doing that without your starting quarterback and with a replacement that has been on the team for less than a month . That's what this week looks like for Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.

Even though the team is still hopeful that Jordan Love can be on the field on Sunday, this is not the most likely scenario after the quarterback did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Malik Willis has been QB1 at practice, and LaFleur seems encouraged by the development of his backup throughout the week.

"Every week is a challenge. Jordan is obviously our number 1 quarterback. Every time you take the field, you want your best players available to you. When they're not, it can be challenging, especially with a guy that has been here for a short period of time. But it's one we're gonna embrace, and we're gonna do everything in our power to put him [Willis] in the best possible position," LaFleur said after practice. "He is working really hard. He's done a nice job, I would say the practice today was better than it was yesterday, so that's encouraging. I think the more reps he gets, the better he gets. But every week is an enormous challenge in this league and you can never take it for granted."

Matt LaFleur said the coaching staff is doing everything possible to put Willis in a favorable position. But he doesn't want the other offensive players overloading themselves and trying to do too much to compensate for a potential Jordan Love's absence.

"Anytime you try to go outside yourself, that's when mistakes happen," LaFleur added. "So I think everybody has their own focus, it's to do their job to the best of their ability, whatever they are asked to do. And they've embraced that challenge. I think they will embrace their roles, and I think they will stick together and rally around each other. That's what I expect."

Injury updates

The injury report is similar to what it was on Wednesday, but Quay Walker appeared on it too, since he was limited at practice with a groin injury. The other limited players were cornerback Corey Ballentine (oblique), defensive tackle Kenny Clark (toe), linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (knee), plus running backs Josh Jacobs (back) and MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring). Love, with an MCL strain , was the only non-participant.

The Packers have a last injury report to be released on Friday, and that's when the team has to release an injury projection to players. By then, we will have a better idea if the Packers truly think Jordan Love has a shot to play against the Indianapolis Colts.

"He's been there out at practice, he's been engaged, knows every playcall," LaFleur said about Love. "He's always coaching up Malik, coaching up Sean. He's doing a good job with it. He's going to do everything he can to be out there. We'll give him the week."

Related: What Malik Willis' stats tell us about the next man up at quarterback for the Packers