Love’s Injury: What We Know
Love is reportedly dealing with an AC-joint sprain in his left shoulder — the non-throwing arm — after a hard collision during the game against the Giants. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, this type of injury can cause swelling, tightness, and limited mobility, especially when the arm is lifted or moved to the side.
Despite the pain, Love has been practicing at full speed. He was listed as a full participant during practice leading up to the showdown with Minnesota. Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that Love has “been really sore,” but added that the quarterback’s pain tolerance is the only real hurdle.
Love’s Mindset and Preparation
When asked about his shoulder, Love kept it real but optimistic:
“The shoulder is feeling good … obviously, [today was] a practice day … feeling good, so we’ll be good going forward.” Yahoo Sports
He also admitted he’s learned a lesson from the play that caused the injury:
“I tried to pump fake … thought I could get the guy off his feet … I wish I would have just went out of bounds … or try to slide … but it’s a tough situation.” ESPN.com
LaFleur praised Love’s grit, calling him “so gritty and tough” and highlighting his ability to keep giving his teammates chances to make plays, even as he battled discomfort. ESPN.com
Why Love Is Still in the Lineup vs. the Vikings
The Vikings matchup is critical, and Green Bay clearly believes Love gives them the best shot — even if he’s not 100%. The Packers’ injury report confirms his status: he practiced fully Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and was not listed on the final injury report with any restriction.
From a strategic standpoint, Love’s return maintains the Packers’ offensive continuity. Playing with him, even at less than full strength, means they can lean into his mobility, his arm, and his leadership rather than lean on the backup.
What This Means for the NFL
Love’s situation underscores a recurring NFL theme: the toughness of its quarterbacks. Even though this injury isn’t on his throwing shoulder, it could still impact his play — particularly when scrambling or absorbing hits from defenders. If the pain worsens, or if he re-aggravates the injury, it could force Green Bay to rethink its approach.
But for now, the Packers seem confident in his ability to play through it. That decision reflects not just on Love’s commitment, but also on how the team values his presence under center, especially in key divisional games like this one.
What to Watch in the Game
Mobility: Will Love still scramble and extend plays, or play more cautiously to protect his shoulder?
Throwing Mechanics: Any limping, tighter release or adjustments in his motion could hint at discomfort.
Play-Calling: Will Green Bay lean more on quick passes, roll-outs, or designed runs to take pressure off Love?
Second Half Durability: Can Love maintain his performance through the full game, or will the injury worsen as the game wears on?
Final Word
Jordan Love’s willingness to play through a sprained left shoulder says a lot about his resilience and his commitment to his team. With the Packers heading into a high-stakes matchup with the Vikings, having Love out there — even partly injured — gives Green Bay a fighting chance. The NFL spotlight will be on him as he battles through pain to lead his team forward.
For Football Content:
Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) at @mcquadewarnold. Also, do not forget to follow us at On Twitter for even more great football content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in the world of Football – especially with all the trade rumors swirling around and free agency news – college football, and more, click here!