After losing Micah Parsons, the Green Bay Packers are staring down the final stretch of the season with a little less firepower on defense-and now, potentially, without their starting quarterback as well. Jordan Love exited Saturday’s game against the Chicago Bears after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from rookie pass rusher Austin Booker. While Love walked off the field under his own power, he was later diagnosed with a concussion and did not return.
That injury throws a wrench into Green Bay’s plans heading into a critical Week 17 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. With playoff implications on the line and the Ravens still fighting for positioning in the AFC, the Packers would love nothing more than to have their QB1 back under center. But with the NFL’s concussion protocol in play, that’s far from a sure thing.
What’s Next for Jordan Love?
The Packers’ next game is another Saturday tilt, which means Love has just seven days to clear the league’s concussion protocol. That’s a tight window.
According to data from 2023, the average recovery time for a concussion in the NFL sits at around nine days. But averages don’t win football games-every player reacts differently, and some do return within a week.
The key variable here is how Love’s symptoms progress over the next few days.
The first sign of whether Love is trending in the right direction will come from the practice field. If he’s able to return in a limited capacity midweek, that could be a positive signal. But until he clears every step of the league’s protocol, nothing is guaranteed.
What the Packers Have in Malik Willis
If Love can’t go, the Packers will turn to Malik Willis. He’s no stranger to the spotlight-he won two starts last season when Love was sidelined.
While he doesn’t bring the same level of polish or consistency as Love, Willis is mobile, has a live arm, and has earned the trust of the coaching staff. Still, going up against a Ravens defense that thrives on pressure and disguises is a tall order for any backup quarterback.
Inside the NFL’s Concussion Protocol
To return to game action, Love will have to clear a five-phase process designed to protect players from returning too soon. Here’s a breakdown of what that looks like:
1. Symptom-Limited Activity
This is the rest and recovery phase. Players are encouraged to limit physical and cognitive activity until symptoms begin to subside.
Light stretching or brief aerobic work may begin under medical supervision.
2. Aerobic Exercise
Once symptoms improve, players begin cardio training-usually on a stationary bike or treadmill-while continuing to avoid any football-specific movements. Balance testing also becomes part of the process.
3. Football-Specific Exercise
Players gradually reintroduce football-related movement-think footwork drills, light throwing, or positional movement. Workloads increase, but contact is still off-limits.
4. Non-Contact Training Drills
This is where players start to look more like themselves on the field. Quarterbacks can throw, run routes, and participate in non-contact portions of practice.
Neurocognitive and balance testing continues throughout.
5. Full Football Activity and Clearance
To return to game action, players must be cleared by both the team physician and an independent neurological consultant. Only then can they fully participate in practice and be eligible to play.
What’s at Stake for Green Bay
The Packers are entering the final two games of their season with everything still on the line. First up: a primetime showdown at Lambeau Field against the Ravens on Dec.
- That’s followed by a road trip to Minnesota to face a Vikings team that’s been surging late in the year and could still play spoiler in the NFC playoff race.
With or without Jordan Love, the Packers will need to bring their A-game. But make no mistake-having their starting quarterback back under center would be a massive boost as they try to punch their ticket to the postseason.