Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love left Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a groin injury. With Love replaced by backup QB Malik Willis, the Packers beat the Jaguars 30-27, taking the win with a last-second field goal.
Love left the game in the third quarter, following contact after the whistle from defensive end Travon Walker, who bumped Love when Love was off balance. The QB was slow to get up from the play.
The Packers (6-2) later listed Love as questionable to return with a groin injury.
Willis took over and finished the game, going 4-for-5 on passing and throwing a touchdown.
The Jaguars (2-6) held a 17-13 lead in the third quarter when Love went out. Green Bay rallied to take a 27-17 lead at the start of the fourth quarter. Jacksonville tied it when Trevor Lawrence threw a touchdown pass to Evan Engram with less than two minutes remaining.
In the final minutes, the Packers moved tactically down the field. Green Bay kicker Brandon McManus, a former Jaguar, hit the game-winning field goal with two seconds remaining on the clock, giving the Packers — and Willis — the win.
“Obviously a high level of concern,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Love’s injury, via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. “I think everybody could see him struggling to move around and I just got to a point where we didn’t, he didn’t feel like he could protect himself.”
Willis previously started two games while Love was out with an MCL sprain injury sustained during Green Bay’s season opener. Love returned to the field during the Packers’ Week 4 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
On Sunday, Love initially appeared to suffer a leg injury in the first quarter when he landed awkwardly after a throw.
He spent time in a sideline medical tent after that play, but remained in the game through the start of the second half. His mobility was limited, and he repeatedly limped throughout the game.
Love’s injury status is unclear, though the Packers are optimistic he avoided a long-term injury, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He will undergo further testing on Monday. If he misses more time and isn’t ready to go for next week’s matchup with the Detroit Lions, it is clear that Willis will be able to slot in for Green Bay.
