Packers make a QB move to create roster flexibility ahead of the Colts game at Lambeau Field

The Green Bay Packers have elevated quarterback Sean Clifford from the practice squad for gameday. It’s a standard elevation, which means the former fifth-round pick will be available to play on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, but reverts back to the practice squad on Monday. The news was first reported by Bill Huber .

Starting quarterback Jordan Love was initially listed as questionable to play because of an MCL injury he suffered last week in Brazil, but he has been downgraded to doubtful and it's highly unlikely that he will be available. However, if Jordan Love is ultimately medically cleared to play on Sunday, the Packers might still opt to make Sean Clifford inactive, even though he has been elevated to the active roster.

By being elevated, Clifford will make this week’s minimum salary to the active roster, a huge bump compared to the practice squad salary.

Head coach Matt LaFleur has already confirmed that Malik Willis will be the starter in the case Jordan Love can’t play. However, Clifford also had reps with the ones during the week at practice.

It's the first elevation for Clifford, so he has two remaining this season with the Packers.

Background

Sean Clifford was a fifth-round pick by the Packers last year. He spent his entire rookie season on the 53-man roster as an immediate backup to Jordan Love.

This season, he competed for the backup job throughout training camp and preseason with seventh-round rookie Michael Pratt. However, Green Bay was not satisfied by any of them and ended up trading a 2025 seventh-round pick to acquire Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans.

The Packers decided to bring Sean Clifford back to the practice squad as QB3, while Pratt was allowed to walk — he is now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad.

The final decision on Jordan Love’s availability has to come 90 minutes before the game, at 10:30am CT on Sunday. The game against the Indianapolis Colts is the regular season home opener for the Packers.

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