MRI negative, but Packers' Love could miss second preseason game

Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love was dealt a bit of good news after a big scare in the Packer’s preseason opener. The future face of the franchise had an MRI on his right shoulder which showed no structural damage.

Love injured in Packers debut

Love was expected to get the majority of the snaps during Green Bay’s three game preseason, but  had his night cut short in the opener against the Houston Texans on Saturday, and he is now a question for this weekend’s game against the New York Jets.

The Packers’ first round draft pick in 2020 was hit hard just before halftime in the 26-7 loss to the Texans. Love said he felt a strain in his right arm and shoulder after being sacked and fumbling late in the second half. He played the rest of the half after picking up the injury, but didn’t make another throw. Love didn’t’ return to the game after the halftime break, despite being scheduled to play in the third quarter.

Good news for Love and Packers after MRI

Adam Schefter reported that the MRI came back with no signs any significant damage, but Packers coach Matt LaFleur said his status for practice and Saturday’s game is uncertain.

"I think he's doing fine," LaFleur said. "It's something, though, that is significant enough where he could miss a couple days of practice. We'll see where he's at at the end of the week, but we're going to kind of take it day to day."

Saturday marked the first time Love has played in an official game since the Senior Bowl in early 2020. A few months later he was drafted by the Packers with the 28th pick of the 2020 draft, but because the 2020 preseason was canceled Love didn’t get a chance to debut last year.

With doubts surrounding the future of Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay this offseason Love took over starting quarterback duties during the OTAs, but obviously wasn’t getting game reps during that time. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst had a very clear vision coming into preseason saying "it's very important for Jordan to get as many live reps."

Love was under center for 28 snaps on Saturday, but if he misses the Jets game this weekend it would leave him with just one more chance to get a heavy serving of reps in the last preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on the 28th.

Packers with just three QBs on the roster

There are no plans to play Rodgers this preseason, and the Packers have just three quarterbacks on the roster. Kurt Benkert is the third stringer, but could be the only QB available this weekend. If Love doesn’t play Green Bay could be forced to sign a quarterback before the game in the Meadowlands.