What Packers' roster moves say about Jordan Love's availability against Lions
GREEN BAY — After trying to keep the Detroit Lions guessing about who'd start at quarterback for them in Sunday's pivotal NFC North showdown at Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Packers showed their hand on Saturday afternoon.
Because when they did not elevate No. 3 quarterback Sean Clifford from their practice squad, the Packers told the Lions that starter Jordan Love, who left last Sunday's win at Jacksonville with a left groin injury, is cleared for action.
Whether Love, who did not practice Wednesday and practiced only on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday, will be at 100% and able to play the position with the mobility he usually has is unclear. How the expected slippery conditions with rain in Sunday's forecast will affect his play also remains to be seen.
But rather than facing arguably the NFC's best team in the Lions (6-1) with backup Malik Willis under center, the Packers (6-2) will have their star QB at the controls of the offense.
"To me what factors in is, can you protect yourself or not? Can he function at a high level, a winning level?" coach Matt LaFleur said at midweek when asked what it would take for Love to play .
"You've got to be able to get out of harm's way if it comes your way. And you've got to be able to function and do the things that we need you to do, that he feels comfortable doing. If he can't, then he won't play."
The Lions went through their week preparing for both Love and for Willis, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn told reporters in Detroit. In fact, he started breaking down film of both quarterbacks right after the Lions' win over Tennessee last Sunday.
"I immediately came back here to start watching tape because I had heard about the injury to Jordan," Glenn said. "When you don't know the extent of the injury, (you) have a plan for both of those guys. And the offense is not just totally different offense for those guys. We just know what they both bring to the table."
Meanwhile, the Packers did elevate practice-squad cornerback Kamal Hadden to the game-day roster with starting cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) and reserve corner/special-teams contributor Corey Ballentine (ankle) both listed as questionable.
The Packers' biggest injury concern is center Josh Myers , who remains listed as doubtful after he did not practice all week because of a left wrist injury. Although Myers snaps with his right hand, he was avoiding using his left hand while putting his socks and shoes on during the week, and it's unclear if he'll be able to play wearing some sort of cast.
If Myers doesn't play, left guard Elgton Jenkins is expected to slide over to replace him.
"We have a plan if he goes, we have a plan if he doesn't," offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. "If you think your option B is going to be better than Josh (being less than) 100 percent, then you definitely have to go with what you think is going to be best."
