Jordan Love injured his elbow in the first half against the Bears and was replaced by backup quarterback Malik Willis. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
With the playoffs a week away, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love left Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears with an elbow injury.
Love suffered the injury in the first half and was replaced by backup Malik Willis. Love remained on the sideline for Green Bay’s next possession, and the Packers listed him as questionable to return. Wills remained in the game after halftime as the Bears held a 14-13 lead.
The Packers also lost wide receiver Christian Watson to a non-contact knee injury in the first half. He was carted off the field and ruled out of the game at halftime.
The Packers entered Sunday having already clinched a playoff berth and a chance to improve their seeding. A win against the Bears would give them a chance to move up from the No. 7 seed to the No. 6 seed in the NFC bracket.
Love suffered his injury on a first-and-10 play as the Packers trailed, 14-3 in the second quarter. He faced pressure in the pocket and dumped the ball off to running back Josh Jacobs as he got hit. Love stood up after the hit shaking and flexing his right hand. He pointed to his hand, and trainers took to the field to inspect the injury.
Love then left the field and was replaced by Willis for Green Bay’s next play. Trainers continued to evaluate Love on the sideline before the Packers announced that Love had sustained an elbow injury.
Love did not return to the field as Willis continued to lead Green Bay’s offense. The extent of Love’s injury and his prognosis was initially unclear.
Watson suffered his injury prior to Love’s. He fell to the turf untouched while running a route and immediately grabbed his right knee in pain.
Trainers tended to Watson on the field, and he eventually left on the back of a cart with his head in his hands.
Watson is Green Bay’s top deep threat and the Packers’ third-leading receiver. He entered Sunday having tallied 29 catches for 620 yards (21.4 yards per reception) and two touchdowns.
The Packers will open the playoffs on the road next week. It appears likely that they’ll do so without Watson and questions about the health of their starting quarterback.
