GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - With Jordan Love sidelined due to thumb surgery, it’s Malik Willis’ turn to step up under center - yet again.
Last year, Willis started his first game with the Packers less than three weeks away the team acquired him via trade. He went on to go 2-0 in starts against the Colts and Titans, and helped lead Green Bay to a win over the Jaguars as well when Love left early with a groin injury.
Just weeks away from the start of the 2025 season, Willis is confident the squad will continue preparing without losing a step.
“If this team can’t handle one person being down for a couple of days, I think we’re in more trouble than worrying about what I should do,” Willis said. “I think that we should be mentally strong enough to go out here do what we can to execute each play that’s called. Play ball, I mean it’s not a one person game. it takes all eleven at all times.”
Willis’ performance last year impressed his teammates, including running back Josh Jacobs.
“There’s no way this guy shouldn’t be, you know, there’s 32 teams starter somewhere,” Jacobs said. “That’s just my opinion with the way that I see him on a day to day basis. We have the ultimate confidence in him. I think he’s going to do good.”
The good news for Love is that the injured thumb is in on his left and non-throwing hand. Willis shared that while in college, he dealt with a dislocated elbow in his left arm and it did not affect his play much, so he is confident that Love will be able to return quickly.
“He’s had a good camp so far,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said regarding love. “I think as he gets back, we’ll kind of assess where he’s at. It’s one of those things where I think he’ll be back at practice next week. How much he can do leading in to that Seattle game, we’ll kind of see and it will be day-to-day a little bit. You never want these guys to be out because you want to be working as a team. They all need the work, obviously. More importantly, he’ll be ready for week one and that’s the most important thing.”
Love is just the latest injury on the Packers offense. Wide receivers Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks all missed Tuesday’s practice with injuries. Then, Romeo Doubs went down as well with what appeared to be a lower back injury. Doubs declined to speak with reporters following practice, but did clarify that he was feeling good.
“I think that’s something that we got to figure out along the way,” head coach Matt LaFleur said regarding all of the injuries. “I know that we will, and we’ll have a plan for it. Every day is a new day in this league, and you just got to be ready to adapt and adjust.”
This time of the year is all about building chemistry with receivers. Love’s connection with 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden appears to be strong, with the rookie hauling in Love’s only completion in Saturday’s preseason opener. Still, the more reps the team can get together as a whole the better.
“That’s life in the National Football League,” LaFleur said. “You got to adapt, you got to adjust, and we’ll try to make the best of it. You don’t want anybody to miss practice, whether it’s a starter or a backup, it doesn’t matter. We want everyone there working on their craft, putting in the work to get better, but when someone’s not there, it’s an opportunity for someone else. You just got to try to look at it glass half full and try to make the best of the situation.”
“Injuries are going to happen,” Gutekunst said. “It’s part of this and we have to be able to adjust and still move forward, and we will, but whenever guys miss time, it’s never positive, but it’s part of the game and we’re all used to it. It creates opportunities for other guys. I’m excited for our guys to have a chance Thursday and Saturday to kind of rebound from last week’s performance.”
The Packers hit the field next for a joint practice in Indianapolis on Thursday before taking on the Colts in their second preseason game on Saturday afternoon.
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