The Green Bay Packers found themselves in a desperate situation late in their season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles when they lost starting quarterback Jordan Love.
With just five seconds left in the game and trailing 34-29, Love was caught in the pocket and facing a likely game-ending sack. He rushed and handed the ball to running back Josh Jacobs.
Love, however, went down awkwardly when tackled by Josh Sweat and Jalen Carter. His ankle buckled as Carter rolled to grab the QB’s legs. Jacobs ran the ball out to give the Packers one more play, but the bigger concern was that Love was on the ground, clutching his leg.
Love was able to walk off the field with the help of trainers. Backup quarterback Malik Willis came in to finish the game, but was sacked on his Hail Mary pass attempt by the Eagles’ Zack Baun as the clock expired for a 34-29 final.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur said he was unaware of Love’s status when asked by reporters after the game.
Before leaving the game, Love threw for 260 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, completing 17 of 34 passes. It was his first regular-season game since signing a four-year, $220 million contract extension in late July, making him the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history. Love signed the lucrative deal after his first season as Green Bay’s starter, in which he threw for 4,159 yards and 32 touchdowns.
