Matt LaFleur: Quarterback Jordan Love will not be placed on injured reserve

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Monday that the team will start Malik Willis if Jordan Love is not ready to play Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

Love was injured late in the fourth quarter during the Packers’ Week 1 loss in Brazil against the Philadelphia Eagles. He is believed to have a sprained MCL in his left knee.

LaFleur also confirmed that Love will not be placed on injured reserve, a designation used in the NFL for players unable to play due to injury. Players placed on IR are forced to miss at least four weeks, but LaFleur believes Love will be ready before then.

“If he gets cleared, we’ll give him every opportunity like we always will,” LaFleur said. “I know he’s doing everything in his power, spending a lot of time trying to get back as soon as possible, but certainly, we’re not going to put him in a position where, if he can’t protect himself, he’d go out there.”

LaFleur also spoke about his initial reaction to Love’s injury.

“I felt a little confident since he was moving,” LaFleur said. “Obviously, he said he was in pain, but I wasn’t even going to go there in my mind until I knew one way or the other, and thankfully, we got some relatively good news.”

The Green Bay Packers will face the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field on Sunday at noon. If Jordan Love is sidelined with an injury, Malik Willis will start at quarterback, and Sean Clifford will be elevated from the practice squad to serve as his backup.

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