Packers' Malik Willis: Status in question for Sunday
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Willis (right shoulder/hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest in Minnesota, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.
Coach Matt LaFleur announced Thursday that Clayton Tune will be Green Bay's starting QB in Week 18 at the same time that he relayed that Jordan Love cleared the concussion protocol. The decision makes sense considering the Packers are locked into the No. 7 seed in the NFC side of the playoffs, but who will be Tune's backup remains to be seen. Willis himself was listed as limited on all three of the team's practice reports this week due to right shoulder and hamstring injuries, and his fate for Sunday's game could become more clear if Desmond Ridder is elevated from the practice squad Saturday. In that scenario, Willis may be the emergency third quarterback, at best, behind Tune and Ridder with Love not expected to play, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Still limited at practice
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Willis (right shoulder/hamstring) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.
Willis maintained his activity level from Wednesday's session as he tends to the right shoulder injury that he aggravated this past Saturday against the Ravens. Even if he's able to enter the weekend without a designation for Sunday's game at Minnesota, he doesn't have a chance to start, as coach Matt LaFleur announced Thursday that Clayton Tune will get the Week 18 nod, while Jordan Love cleared concussion protocol.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Exits with shoulder injury
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Willis exited Saturday's game against the Ravens in the fourth quarter with an apparent right shoulder injury and is questionable to return.
Willis injured his shoulder on a follow-through throw in the fourth quarter and immediately sprinted to the locker room to undergo further examination. Prior to leaving the game, Willis was cooking for Green Bay, completing 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed nine times for 60 yards and two touchdowns. Clayton Tune came on to replace Willis at quarterback and threw an interception on his first pass attempt.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Spot start confirmed
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Willis (right shoulder/illness) is listed as active Saturday against the Ravens and will start in place of Jordan Love (left shoulder/concussion), Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.
After he sustained a concussion last Saturday at Chicago, Love wasn't able to clear the protocol for head injuries in time to suit up in Week 17, as the Packers ruled him out Friday. Willis remained listed as questionable due to the right shoulder injury he suffered late in the Week 16 loss to the Bears and also the illness that kept him out of Wednesday's practice, but he was the favorite to start Saturday, assuming he was active. Now that that has been confirmed, Willis will direct an offense headlined by RBs Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson, WRs Christian Watson (shoulder/illness), Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden and Dontayvion Wicks and TE Luke Musgrave. Green Bay also elevated QB Clayton Tune from the practice squad to serve as Willis' backup.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Spot start imminent
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Willis (right shoulder/illness) is in line to start Saturday's game versus the Ravens with Jordan Love (left shoulder/concussion) expected to be sidelined, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Love wasn't able to progress beyond a limited participant during Week 17 prep as he recovers from the concussion that he sustained last Saturday at Chicago. With clearance from an independent neurologist seemingly not happening before Saturday's 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff, the Packers will turn to Willis under center. Willis is dealing with a right shoulder injury himself and also sat out Wednesday's practice due to an illness, which have combined to leave him questionable ahead of the weekend. Willis' status will be clarified about 90 minutes before the aforementioned kickoff.
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Packers' Malik Willis: DNP due to illness
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Willis (right shoulder) missed practice Wednesday due to an illness, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.
The Packers' top two quarterbacks are dealing with health concerns in the wake of Saturday's loss at Chicago, but Jordan Love (concussion) was able to take part in drills Wednesday, while Willis was absent due to something unrelated to the right shoulder injury he suffered late in Week 16. Willis is the favorite to get the start this Saturday against the Ravens if Love can't make it through the protocol for head injuries, but the former's new ailment adds another element to the QB situation in Green Bay.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Adds/Streamers (QB Preview)
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Last week Willis played a little over half the game, completed nine of 11 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 44 yards. Last year he started two games and averaged 21.1 Fantasy points despite throwing just 33 passes in the two games combined. If Love is out I would expect Willis to be a high-end QB2 with QB1 upside.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Tending to shoulder injury
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Coach Matt LaFleur said Sunday that Willis is dealing with a shoulder injury in the wake of Saturday's loss in Chicago, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Willis entered in the middle of the second quarter Saturday after starter Jordan Love endured a hit to the helmet from a Bears defender, and the former finished out the contest after the latter was ruled out due to a concussion. Willis himself was taken the ground late in regulation and landed hard on his right shoulder, which he was favoring as he went to the sideline, and he ended the overtime defeat having completed nine of 11 passes for 121 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions while rushing 10 times for 44 yards. Love will need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to play next Saturday versus the Ravens, but LaFleur also relayed to Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site that Willis is "pretty sore. It's a legitimate deal that he's dealing with. He's another guy we'll see where he's at as we progress." The Packers currently roster QB Clayton Tune on the practice squad, but RB Josh Jacobs and WR Jayden Reed are emergency options at the position, as LaFleur told Hodkiewicz.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Key fumble in OT
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Willis replaced Jordan Love (concussion) with 7:59 remaining in the second quarter and completed nine of 11 passes for 121 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions while adding 10 rushes for 44 yards in the Packers' 22-16 overtime loss to the Bears on Saturday night. He also committed a fumble in overtime.
Willis was effective for the majority of his time in the game after Love exited following a sack, eventually throwing a 33-yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs late in the third quarter to extend a narrow 6-3 lead. Willis also spearheaded a 10-play drive in the fourth quarter that culminated in a field goal, but after marching Green Bay down into Bears territory on the first drive of overtime, Willis failed to secure a fourth-down snap and negated the Packers' chances of keeping the possession going. The Bears took over and closed out the comeback win four plays later on a Caleb Williams touchdown pass to DJ Moore, closing out an otherwise effective performance by Willis on a sour note. If Love is unable to clear concussion protocol in time for next Saturday night's Week 17 home showdown against the Ravens, Willis will draw the start.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Sparks TD drive in win
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Willis completed both of his passes for six yards and one touchdown in the Packers' 27-20 win over the Giants on Sunday. He added 16 yards on one rushing attempt.
Willis filled in on one drive while Jordan Love went to the locker room to be evaluated for an injury, but Love was quickly able to return to action. While in the game, Willis moved the offense and threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Christian Watson in the second quarter. If Love would need to miss any time to injury, Willis has shown the ability to succeed in coach Matt LaFleur's offense.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Good to go Week 10
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Willis (calf) does not carry an injury designation into Monday's game against the Eagles, Wes Hodklewicz of the Packers' official site reports.
A calf injury limited Willis' practice participation Friday, but the fourth-year quarterback was able to shed an injury tag for Week 10 after logging a full practice Saturday. He has yet to appear in a regular-season game and will continue to serve as Jordan Love's backup.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Cleared for Week 9
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Willis (ankle) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against Carolina, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
An ankle injury limited Willis' practice participation over the last two days of Week 9 prep, but the fourth-year pro has been cleared to serve as Jordan Love's backup quarterback Sunday. Willis has not played a snap this season after appearing in seven regular-season games (two starts) for the Packers in 2024.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Starting vs. Colts
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Willis is positioned to start Saturday's preseason game against the Colts with Jordan Love (thumb) recovering from surgery undergone to address a ligament injury, Jacob Slinkman of SI reports.
Willis' growth as he enters Year 2 in coach Matt LaFleur's scheme will be interesting to monitor, especially after he managed to impress with two early-season wins when called upon to step up under center in 2024 (one of which came Week 2 versus Indianapolis). He'll be tasked with overcoming injuries to the wide receiver corps during Saturday's exhibition tilt, however, with Jayden Reed (foot), Romeo Doubs (back) and Dontayvion Wicks (calf) all having missed practice Thursday. The Packers expect Love to resume practicing next week, and the team hasn't expressed any concerns about his status for Week 1.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Shines in relief role
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Willis recorded 550 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, 138 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown over seven appearances in 2024.
The Packers acquired Willis from the Titans less than two weeks before the regular season began, and that proved to be a pivotal move, as he led the Packers to victory in both Weeks 2 and 3 while filling in for an injured Jordan Love. The sample size was small, but Willis posted a sterling 124.8 quarterback rating in 2024, which put him back on the map after a nondescript start to his career. Willis has one year remaining on his rookie contract, so barring a trade to a team that may be interested in him as a starter, he will be back in Green Bay for another go-around.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Limited by thumb issue
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Willis was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a right thumb injury, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
Willis joined No. 1 quarterback Jordan Love with a cap on his reps to begin the week, but the former's health concern wasn't known before Wednesday, while the latter's right elbow issue has been the dominant talking point as Green Bay prepares for Sunday's wild-card contest at Philadelphia. The Packers seem to have hope that Love will be able to suit up this weekend, but Willis could be tasked with filling in again of Love doesn't make it all the way back. In his seven appearances (two starts) for the team this season, Willis has completed 40 of 54 passes for 550 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also carried 20 times for 138 yards and another touchdown while losing his only fumble.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Fills in for Love, leads team to win
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Willis completed four of five pass attempts for 56 yards and a touchdown while rushing four times for 23 yards in Sunday's 30-27 win over Jacksonville.
Willis entered Sunday's contest in the third quarter after starter Jordan Love (groin) exited due to injury. Green Bay's backup performed well in the win, holding a lead he inherited early in the second half and completing a key 51-yard pass to Jayden Reed on the final drive to set up Brandon McManus' game-winning field goal. Willis would be making his third start in place of Love should the latter sit out next Sunday's tilt against the Lions. In two prior starts for Green Bay, Willis accounted for three touchdowns and did not throw an interception.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Another spot start in place of Love
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Willis will be the Packers' starting quarterback for Sunday's game at Tennessee with Jordan Love (knee) inactive, Mike Spofford of the team's official site reports.
Willis is earning his second consecutive start in place of Love, who managed three straight limited practices before being listed as questionable for Week 3 action. Love clearly has made progress in his recovery from an MCL sprain that he sustained in the season opener, but the Packers again will exercise caution with their franchise quarterback. During last Sunday's win against the Colts, Willis completed 12 of 14 passes for 122 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions while taking six carries for 41 yards.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Effective in Week 2 start
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Willis completed 12 of 14 passes for 122 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions and added six rushes for 41 yards in the Packers' 16-10 win over the Colts on Sunday.
Willis proved more than competent with the limited game plan he was tasked with running, and both Josh Jacobs (151 rushing yards) and his defense (three interceptions, one sack) did plenty of heavy lifting. The 2022 third-round pick also was effective as a rusher, and he did average a solid 8.7 yards per attempt on his 14 drop backs. Willis' one touchdown toss went to Dontayvion Wicks from 14 yards out late in the first quarter, and he next takes on his former Titans squad on the road in a Week 3 road matchup as Love continues his multi-week recovery.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Week 2 Waiver Priority List
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We don't know how long Jordan Love (knee) will be out, but the Packers are planning to start Willis in Week 2 against the Colts -- for now. Green Bay could always add a veteran if Willis struggles, so keep that in mind, but Willis should be added in all Superflex and two-quarterback leagues for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Will start Week 2 if Love ruled out
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Coach Matt LaFleur said Monday that Willis will start Sunday's game against the Colts over Sean Clifford if Jordan Love (knee) isn't cleared to play, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.
LaFleur didn't officially rule Love out for Week 2, but he said Willis will start until the franchise QB is ready to return. Reports have linked Love to a 3-to-6-week recovery timeline due to an MCL sprain, so though LaFleur is still leaving the door open for Love to play Sunday and said he won't go on IR, per Bill Huber of SI.com, it seems likely that Willis will start versus Indianapolis. Willis joined the Packers via trade from the Titans in the last week of August, so the 2022 third-round pick presumably isn't yet fully acclimated to his new offensive scheme. That could result in Green Bay deploying a run-heavy attack headlined by Josh Jacobs on Sunday.
