GREEN BAY, Wis.: Packers quarterback Jordan Loves status for Green Bays next exhibition game is uncertain due to a shoulder issue that prevented him from playing in the second half of his pro debut.
Love said after Saturday nights 26-7 loss to the Houston Texans that I just dinged my shoulder a little bit when Jonathan Greenard sacked him and forced a fumble late in the second quarter.
Hes doing fine, Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Sunday. Its something though that is significant enough that he could miss a couple of days of practice. Well see where hes at, at the end of the week. Were going to take it day by day.
LaFleur said Saturday night that the Packers initially hoped to have Love play three quarters but decided to rest him the entire second half after the hit from Greenard.
The Packers host the New York Jets on Saturday in their next preseason matchup. They’re also conducting joint practices with the Jets on Wednesday and Thursday.
If the Packers decide to hold Love out of the Jets game, they could be in the market for a quarterback in the next few days.
LaFleur has said he doesnt plan to use reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers in any exhibition games. The only other quarterback on Green Bays roster is Kurt Benkert, who played the entire second half Saturday.
Were going to look at a few options, general manager Brian Gutekunst said. Matt and I are going to sit down tonight and kind of figure that out. But well obviously protect the team, make sure we have somebody here.
Packers officials said they felt good about Loves performance in his first game since the Senior Bowl on Jan. 25, 2020. The 2020 first-round draft pick from Utah State went 12 of 17 for 122 yards with a touchdown pass to rookie seventh-round pick Kylin Hill, who turned a short completion into a 22-yard score.
Love never played in his rookie season and didnt even get a chance to participate in preseason games last year due to the pandemic.
He made some good plays, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. He took a couple shots, too, which for a quarterback, thats always important because obviously we protect them during practice, and for him to hang in there and deliver some really nice, accurate balls was great. And its just one of those things he can build on now and move forward. He finally got that first NFL game out of his system.
Love didnt have the benefit of playing alongside the Packers top players. The Packers held 30 players out of the game, including nearly all their usual starters on offense.
Green Bay couldnt create any running room, as the Packers rushed for just 49 yards on 21 carries. Under those circumstances, Love felt he took a step forward.
Overall, I think I played good, Love said after the game. A couple plays where I messed some things up, but things Ill learn from.
NOTES: Gutekunst said weve had no discussions at this time about adding outside linebacker Clay Matthews, who wasnt in the NFL last season but played for the Packers from 2009-18 and eared All-Pro honors in 2010. Rodgers, receiver Randall Cobb and offensive tackle David Bakhtiari had posted pictures of Matthews on social media over the weekend. Rodgers post included the message, Bring Him Back. Although the Packers were missing most of their weapons on offense, coaches expressed disappointment in the lack of a rushing attack against Houston. The Packers couldnt create running room and gained just 49 yards on 21 carries. Thats unacceptable, what we did yesterday, Hackett said. And I think all those guys know that. The coaches know that, we know that, and weve got to get better.
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