Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Packers QB Jordan Love avoids major injury in loss to Bears

By Conor Killmurray | Last updated Jan 5, 2025 6:00 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers came into their Week 18 matchup against the Chicago Bears with a playoff berth clinched and the chance to get a higher seed in the playoffs with a win. However, Green Bay walked out of Lambeau Field as the No. 7 seed in the NFC after losing 24-22 to the Bears — but Packers fans nearly had worse news.

In the first half of the game, Packers quarterback Jordan Love was questionable to return after suffering an elbow injury. Love was seen on the sidelines with an elbow brace and kept squeezing his hand. Eventually, he began warming up on the sidelines but did not return.

According to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, Love was kept out of the rest of the game as a precaution. He explained to reporters at a postgame news conference that Love would be available to play next week.

#Packers coach Matt LaFleur tells reporters that QB Jordan Love (right elbow) was held out as a precaution. He’ll be good to go against the #Eagles. He’s much more unsure about Christian Watson (knee).
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 5, 2025

That's certainly relieving for Packers fans, but with the severity of wide receiver Christian Watson's knee injury unknown, Green Bay is heading into their wild-card game against the No. 2 seed Philadelphia Eagles not at full strength. A game they could have avoided with a win over the Bears that would have gotten them the No. 6 seed. Instead, the team slipped to the No. 7 seed and will have to travel to Philadelphia to start the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Eagles rested the majority of their starters for their 20-13 win over the New York Giants. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is still in the concussion protocol after suffering a concussion in Week 16 but could be ready to play next week.

While the Packers avoided disaster on Sunday, they suffered injuries that otherwise could've been avoided and ended their strong regular season on a loss to a divisional rival. How Love will perform against a rested and rolling Eagles team may now be impacted by a hit that could have been avoided.

Conor Killmurray

Conor Killmurray is a long-suffering fan of New York sports, particularly the Giants and Mets—a potent combination for heartbreak, if you ask him. He graduated from West Chester University with a degree in English and enjoys searching for the most interesting sports stories to write about.

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