One of this NFL season’s highest paid players is set to return to action against a division rival on Sunday.
Green Bay Packers quarterback has Jordan Love practiced all week, inching ever closer to returning to the starting job he yielded to Malik Willis due to a sprained left knee in Week 1.
Now NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the second-year starter is expected to return to the lineup against the Minnesota Vikings.
Love was limited in Friday’s practice and continues to wear a brace on his left knee. He was officially listed on the final injury report of the week as questionable.
‘I think any time he’s out there, that’s encouraging. But again, we’ll see,’ Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Friday.
Willis led the Packers to consecutive wins while Love was out, completing 73.5 percent of his passes for 324 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Willis is also averaging 9.5 yards per carry, rushing for 114 yards on 12 carries.
The Vikings, who visit Green Bay on Sunday, spent the week preparing for both quarterbacks, defensive coordinator Brian Flores said. He was effusive in praise for LaFleur, saying the Green Bay scheme adopted for Willis appears to be a completely different offense.
‘I don’t think it’s being talked about enough, what’s going on over there with Malik Willis,’ Flores said. ‘It’s impressive to watch.’
Minnesota (3-0) gave up a total of 30 points in the first three games of the season and leads the NFL with 16 sacks.
Love said he felt like he was ‘close’ to being ready to start last week at Tennessee. He had four total touchdowns in his last start against the Vikings, including one on the ground.
‘I’m trying to push it and I’ve been trying to get back as fast as I can no matter who the opponent was,’ Love said.
Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander, likely to be assigned coverage of Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson on Sunday, appears to be less than certain to play this week, too, because of a quad issue. Alexander stayed indoors when the Packers were outside for the majority of Friday’s practice. Alexander was listed as questionable on Friday.
‘That’s a concern, for sure. Every time a guy doesn’t practice, that’s a concern,’ LaFleur said.
Packers offensive lineman Jordan Morgan (shoulder) is out.
