Malik Willis of the Packers has a shoulder injury

Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis shook off a sack to end the second half against the Chicago Bears when he entered the game after starter Jordan Love left with an injury. On Sunday, coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that Willis is dealing with a shoulder injury (likely in his throwing arm), a less-than-ideal situation for one. team fighting for their playoff lives.

LaFleur did not provide an update on Love today, stating that it is difficult to predict how quickly a player will go through the concussion protocol. For example, tight end Josh Whyle was concussed against the Denver Broncos and was unavailable for the team against the Bears this weekend. It’s entirely within the realm of possibility that Love will be out next week against the Baltimore Ravens.

Hopefully Willis’ shoulder is healthy. Otherwise, the Packers’ last real quarterback option is Clayton Tune, a practice squad who was signed by the team after camp was over. Tune has an 0-1 record as an NFL starter and has completed 14 of 23 passes for 70 yards (3.0 yards per attempt) with two interceptions and no touchdowns. In his only start with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, he passed for three first downs with 27 tackles, which included seven sacks. The Cardinals lost that game 27-0.

LaFleur also confirmed that the team has multiple “emergency defensive back” options, should it come to that. The coach said both running back Josh Jacobs and receiver Jayden Reed are options if things get hairy.

Jacobs has one drop at the NFL level, a four-yard sack with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023. Reed has not had a pass attempt as a pro.