Will the Packers start Jordan Love in Week 3?

Game status: Jordan Love is inactive for Week 3 vs. the Titans.

Game day update: Ian Rapoport is reporting that Malik Willis will get the start at quarterback against the Titans. Love “could return vs. the Vikings.”

When Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love sprained his MCL in Week 1, it was thought that he could miss up to a month. However, after missing just one game, the Packers will be monitoring Love ahead of Week 3’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The Packers quarterback was officially listed as questionable on Friday.

According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Packers know whether or not Love will play on Sunday, but are keeping their cards close to vest so that the Titans don’t know who will be under center. Russini noted that Love has progressed quicker than expected which gives him a chance to play after missing just one game.

Prior to his injury against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, Love threw for an impressive 260 yards and two touchdowns to just one interception. Last week, the Packers got a win with Malik Willis making the start. If Willis starts again on Sunday, it was be a bit of a revenge game against the team that drafted him.

Love’s status has already been determined for the Packers’ Week 3 matchup against the Titans. However, the official announcement will wait until Sunday. Love practiced this week, but was limited. On Friday, running back Josh Jacobs about Love, “He’s looked alright. He’s been limited, but he looks alright.” Jacobs added if using the word ‘limited’ was emphasized in meetings this week, “I don’t know nothing about nothing!”

Even if Love plays against the Titans, he will not be 100 percent. Not only would Love not be 100 percent, but the Titans defense has been a tough unit to start the season. The Titans held Caleb Williams to 93 yards in Week 1 and Aaron Rodgers to just 176 yards last week. Their defensive front could make things very difficult for Love if he were to return.

Whether it is Love or Willis under center, Josh Jacobs will remain heavily involved in the offense. Jacobs was the RB23 last week, but had a solid output of 13.1 points. Jacobs remains a steady RB2 play this week. The volume should be there for the Packers running back to put up solid numbers for a third consecutive game.

With Love under center in Week 1, Jayden Reed was the WR1 for the week with 33.1 points in PPR. However, against the Colts last Sunday, he was the WR53. Love provides some upside for Reed, but the Packers wide receiver may be better suited as a flex play at best this week. Even if Love does play, he won’t be 100 percent. Combine Love’s injury with what has been a tough Titans defense, it isn’t a favorable matchup for Reed. In the case that it is Willis, the Packers will rely heavily on Jacobs making all Packers pass catchers players to avoid.