The Packers’ Week 1 loss to the Eagles was compounded when franchise quarterback Jordan Love was injured in the final moments of the game.
As Green Bay looked to win the game, Love injured his leg after being hit. Love appeared to be in pain and needed help from the coaching staff as he limped off the field.
Although Love appears to have avoided a season-ending injury, he will miss some time during his inactivity.
How long will Love miss the game? Here’s the latest on his injury and what it means for the Packers moving forward.
What is Jordan Love’s injury?
Love’s injury is a sprain of the medial collateral ligament of the left knee. The injury falls between a grade 1 and grade 2 sprain, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
As defined by the Cleveland ClinicA grade 1 MCL sprain is a “mild tear in which less than 10% of the fibers in your ligament are torn and your knee is still stable,” while a grade 2 MCL sprain is “a moderate tear in which your MCL is partially torn — usually the superficial part of your MCL.”
The Green Bay point guard was injured while trying to get rid of the ball late in the fourth quarter of a five-point loss. Love’s knee appeared to give way as he crumpled to the ground from the contact.
JORDAN LOVE DOWN NOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/C1iK0dLgKc
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) September 7, 2024
The nature of the blow has the Packers and their fans fearing the worst. While not ideal, Love’s injury, which is a sprained medial collateral ligament rather than a major tear of another knee ligament, gives the team a much more positive outlook for the rest of the season.
2024 NFL RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | Defense
How long will Jordan Love be out?
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Love is expected to be out three to six weeks.
The initial timetable for Packers QB Jordan Love’s return is 3-6 weeks. (via @tompelissero) pic.twitter.com/FdcIynUAR9
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2024
After facing the Eagles in Brazil, the Packers return home to host the Colts on September 5. The earliest Love could return would be when the Packers visit the Rams in Week 5, according to the timeline. A longer recovery timeline would see Love return around Week 8 against the Jaguars.
Ultimately, how much time Love misses depends on how he responds to rehabilitation.
2024 Green Bay Packers Schedule
Over the next six weeks, the Packers will face the Colts, Titans, Vikings, Rams, Cardinals and Texans. Four of Green Bay’s next six games will be at home. The team’s bye week will be in Week 10.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV | Tickets |
| 1 | September 6 (Friday) | Eagles 34, Packers 29 | — | — | — |
| 2 | September 15 | against the Colts | 1:00 p.m. | Fox | Buy now |
| 3 | September 22 | among the Titans | 1:00 p.m. | Fox | Buy now |
| 4 | September 29 | against the Vikings | 1:00 p.m. | CBS | Buy now |
| 5 | October 6 | at the Rams | 4:25 p.m. | CBS | Buy now |
| 6 | October 13 | against the cardinals | 1:00 p.m. | Fox | Buy now |
| 7 | October 20 | against the Texans | 1:00 p.m. | CBS | Buy now |
| 8 | October 27 | at the Jaguars | 1:00 p.m. | Fox | Buy now |
| 9 | November 3 | against the Lions | 4:25 p.m. | Fox | Buy now |
| 10 | November 10 | Bye | — | — | — |
| 11 | November 17 | among the bears | 1:00 p.m. | Fox | Buy now |
| 12 | November 24 | against the 49ers | 4:25 p.m. | Fox | Buy now |
| 13 | November 28 (Thu.) | against dolphins | 8:20 p.m. | NBC | Buy now |
| 14 | Dec 5 (Thu) | at the Lions | 8:15 p.m. | Prime Video | Buy now |
| 15 | December 15 | to the Seahawks | 8:20 p.m. | NBC | Buy now |
| 16 | December 23 (Mon.) | against the Saints | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN | Buy now |
| 17 | December 29 | among the Vikings | 1:00 p.m. | Fox | Buy now |
| 18 | January 5th | against the Bears | To be determined | To be determined | Buy now |
