NFL Breaking News: Jordan Love Injury Outlook - Packers QB Suffers Leg Injury
The first NFL game in Brazil between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles had everything you could ask for in a football game - stars, big plays, last minute drama. It was NEARLY perfect until the very end of the game, when Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love suffered a potential knee injury.
Jordan Love Injury Outlook
We are still waiting for confirmation on whether the injury to Jordan Love is serious or not but you can watch the video for yourself if you choose (warning, not for the faint of heart).
The worst-case scenario would be structural damage like an ACL, MCL, LCL, meniscus, or patellar tendon injury? Best case of course would be a sprain that sees minimal missed time for the star quarterback. In the meantime, let’s look at the Packers backup options and discuss the possible fantasy football implication if Jordan Love’s injury does prove to be serious.
Malik Willis, QB, Green Bay Packers
There was some hype surrounding Malik Willis leading in to the 2022 NFL Draft - especially in the fantasy football community. Willis’s back-to-back rushing seasons of 944 yards and 14 TDs then 878 yards and 13 TDs at Liberty are a big reason for that. But NFL teams weren’t as interested as he inevitably fell to the third round of the NFL Draft.
He never really panned out with the Tennessee Titans and was traded to the Packers this offseason for a symbolic 7th round pick rather than being released.
Fantasy Football Implications
If Willis were to get the job, his mobility would certainly be interesting for fantasy gamers. But his lack of pure passing ability would not be ideal for the Green Bay Packer weapons we were banking on. Especially considering how much they spread the ball around in this first game.
Sean Clifford, QB, Green Bay Packers
Sean Clifford was actually drafted by the Packers himself in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft so he’s the “homegrown” option. He’s likely viewed as the better passer than Malik Willis right now and he also offers decent athleticism with a 40 time that’s in the 84th percentile for QBs per Player Profiler.
As this is his only second year in the league, he doesn’t offer all that much more experience than Willis though he’s at least been with the team for over a year rather than Willis who hasn’t even been with the team for two full weeks.
Fantasy Football Implications
Clifford would have less standalone appeal than Malik Willis if you lost Jordan Love and are looking to add a QB off the waiver wire. He just doesn’t have that mobile upside. However, you are banking on guys like Jayden Reed or Romeo Doubs, he’s likely the better passer in this offense as he’s more familiar with the system.
Ryan Tannehill, QB, Free Agent
Ryan Tannehill is likely the best option floating around in free agency right now. Not only does he have by far the best track record and statistical career, but he also has a QB7 overall season on his resume. Every year we have a couple of players that COULD sign on in a backup capacity but opt to hang by the phone and wait for their chance to emerge via injury. This could be the exact opportunity for Tannehill to sign on.
Fantasy Football Implications
If the injury to Jordan Love is season-ending, the Packers should have Tannehill in the building by Monday. The other options like Mike White or Blaine Gabbert simply don’t stack up to the caliber of player Tannehill is. The veteran could honestly thrive in an offense of this caliber so he’s the best option both for the success of the Packers pass catchers and as replacement for Jordan Love in your lineups.
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Beat reporter John Hendrix reports that free agent WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is among the 16 players that the Saints will host for their rookie minicamp.
Peoples-Jones last played regular season snaps with the Lions back in 2023, when he caught 13-of-24 targets for 155 yards. He is highly unlikely to return to fantasy relevance at this point but could perhaps sign on as a special teams contributor.
Titans signed fourth-round pick WR Elic Ayomanor to a four-year contract.
Ayomanor will now begin learning behind Calvin Ridley. Although Ayomanor is unlikely to find a meaningful role in year one, dynasty managers should note his status as training camp gets underway this summer. The former Stanford receiver flashed big-play ability in his two college seasons.
Buccaneers signed seventh-round pick WR Tez Johnson to a four-year contract.
Johnson will serve as a rotational deep-threat option for Baker Mayfield. His thin frame (5'10/154) simply does not lend itself to the repeated hits one incurs in a full-time role. Johnson did earn 100-plus targets in his two seasons at Oregon, though. His big-play style make him a better fit in best ball for now, pending any major on-field breakthroughs.
Giants waived DT Casey Rogers.
Rogers was a 2024 undrafted free agent and logged 33 defensive snaps for the Giants in his rookie season. He is credited with zero tackles and/or sacks. He may find his way onto another roster as a practice squad option.
Vikings signed third-round pick WR Tai Felton to a four-year contract.
Felton is quietly in play to challenge Vikings No. 3 WR Jalen Nailor in training camp. Nailor (5'11/190) caught 28-of-42 targets for 414 yards and six touchdowns in his first season as a starter last year, with the latter category buoying his fantasy productivity. Felton (6'1/183), meanwhile, caught 96-of-143 targets for 1,119 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 2.32 yards per route run in his final college season. Fantasy managers should monitor Felton’s training camp reports this summer, as he could have a matchup-based WR5 role if everything falls into place.