Packers’ Jordan Love Out vs. Colts While Recovering from Knee Injury

In a significant development for the Green Bay Packers, quarterback Jordan Love will not participate in Sunday’s home matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Love is still in recovery mode following a knee injury he sustained during the team’s season opener.

This marks the first time since he took over as the starting quarterback that Love has been sidelined due to injury. He suffered the setback in the Packers’ 34-29 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles on September 6, where he injured his left medial collateral ligament in the final moments of the game.

In Love’s absence, Malik Willis has been designated as the starting quarterback. Remarkably, Willis joined the Packers less than three weeks ago, after being traded from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft.

Willis was a third-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, selected out of Liberty. He has only made three starts in the league during his rookie season, where the Titans had a 1-2 record. Notably, Willis did not surpass 100 passing yards in any of those games.

Providing backup support for Willis will be Sean Clifford, who has been activated from the practice squad for this game. This setup presents an untested pairing under center for the Packers as they aim to navigate their current situation without their starting quarterback.

As Willis prepares to take the field, he will be pitted against a Colts’ secondary that is facing challenges of its own. Safety Julian Blackmon will not play due to a shoulder injury, while cornerback JuJu Brents has been placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury during a recent loss to the Houston Texans.

Additionally, the Colts will also be without wide receiver Josh Downs for the second consecutive game, as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. Last season, Downs made significant contributions, recording 68 receptions for 771 yards and two touchdowns.

On a more positive note for the Colts, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is available for Sunday’s game. Buckner had been previously listed as questionable due to a back injury but has been cleared to play.

The Packers have also confirmed that wide receiver Jayden Reed (shin/calf) and rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) are available after being listed as questionable earlier in the week. Reed had a standout performance against the Eagles, catching four passes for 138 yards, including a remarkable 70-yard touchdown reception and a 33-yard run for a score. He also had a potential 38-yard touchdown catch annulled due to offsetting penalties.

For Lloyd, Sunday marks an exciting milestone as he makes his NFL debut as a rookie third-round pick from Southern California. He was not able to suit up for the season opener against the Eagles due to a hamstring injury.

Alongside Love, several other Packers players will be inactive for the game, including safety Kitan Oladapo, defensive lineman Brenton Cox Jr., offensive tackles Andre Dillard and Travis Glover, and defensive lineman Colby Wooden.

On the Colts’ inactive list are Blackmon, Downs, defensive end Genard Avery, guard Tanor Bortolini, quarterback Sam Ehlinger, offensive tackle Blake Freeland, and tight end Will Mallory. These absences from both teams will make for an intriguing matchup as they shuffle their rosters to adapt to the changing circumstances.