Packers receive positive update on Jordan Love’s injury following defeat to Eagles in Brazil
The opening weekend of the 2024 NFL season saw the Green Bay Packers head to Brazil to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in an exciting and high-scoring clash. However, the big talking point from the game was the status of newly highest-paid quarterback Jordan Love, following him obtaining a nasty looking injury on the second to last play of the game.
Love would leave the game for the final play as the Packers fell to a 34-29 defeat. Saquon Barkley opened his Eagles career with a three touchdown game whilst Jayden Reed impressed for Green Bay.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport confirmed that Love had no ACL damage, a huge positive for Packers fans and the franchise. When the team landed back in Wisconsin on Saturday, Love was seen walking off the plane unaided, again a positive sign but the news of how serious the injury was turned out to be brilliant news. The injury itself looked a very serious one, potentially a season-ending injury, but Rapoport confirmed that it was just an MCL sprain and that Love is likely to miss 3-6 weeks, potentially returning to the field sooner than later.
Love had a solid game, throwing for 260 yards and two touchdowns to Reed and Christian Watson. The game started with his opposing number struggling in the first quarter. Jalen Hurts threw an interception to new safety Xavier McKinney before fumbling on the following drive and Devonte Wyatt recovering for the turnover. Green Bay could only settle for field goals so ended the first up by six.
Hurts started the second much better, finding Barkley for an 18 yard touchdown. Reed answered with a rushing touchdown from 33 yards out, but Barkley would add his second touchdown of the game. The scoring wasn’t over in the second quarter, with Love finding Reed who juked passed the slipping C.J. Gardner-Johnson to take it to the house for a 70-yard touchdown. The Eagles added a field goal before the half to go in trailing 19-17.
Philadelphia pulled away in the third with touchdowns from A.J. Brown and Barkley’s third, capitalising on an interception. Watson did add his own from the 2-yard line to keep the Packers in contention heading into the final quarter.
Hurts threw his second pick of the game to Jaire Alexander and things looked up for Green Bay. They could only muster up a field goal and the Eagles replied with the same, leaving around 30 seconds for Love to take the ball up the field. The final drive started off brilliantly with a 33-yard completion to Reed but then the injury occurred. Malik Willis came in and was given six second to do anything, resulting in the Eagles getting their first win of the season.
The defeat is tough for the Packers but of course the news surrounding Love is brilliant that it isn’t as serious as it initially looked. Their next six games are against the Colts, Titans, Vikings, Rams, Cardinals and Texans. Willis is a former third-round pick and was only acquired less than two weeks ago so now he has a chance to prove himself. If the Packers can remain around .500 for Love to return then they will be in a great position heading into the latter weeks of the season.
