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Packers' Jordan Love sees a “realistic” chance of playing against the Lions


Packers' Jordan Love sees a “realistic” chance of playing against the Lions

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Nothing the Green Bay Packers did in practice Wednesday suggests Jordan Love has a chance to play in Sunday's NFC North showdown against the Detroit Lions.

That's because, other than working out on the stationary bike during stretching, Love did not participate in practice because of the groin injury he suffered in Sunday's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

However, it was what Love said after practice that left open the possibility that the Packers quarterback could play against the first-ranked Lions (6-1).

“I think it’s realistic,” Love said.

Love even said he thought he could play this week without practicing.

“Yes, obviously not training during the week is not the ideal format to try and play a game,” he said. “Like I said, things happen, if that’s the case I know I’ll be fine. But it’s definitely not the ideal scenario to start a big week.”

Packers coach Matt LaFleur would only say that they would “take it one day at a time and see where he is at the end of the week” and that Love could “potentially” play without practicing.

“He’s moving better,” LaFleur said. “We’ll see, but we’ll get there eventually. Of course we will push the limits with this. I know he wants to play, but we'll see where he stands at the end of the week.”

LaFleur had to be confident that Love could protect himself.

“I think just being able to play, being able to move around in the pocket and not trying to hurt myself more by playing… I think that's what he means by that,” Love said. “But for me, it's just the opportunity to move around a little bit and just be myself out there and play, and not just try to be in the pocket and not be able to move when I need to move .”

Love injured his groin on the opening series of the win at Jacksonville but played the rest of the first half. But at the start of the third quarter, he limped to the sideline and left the rest of the game to Malik Willis.

Although he couldn't say for sure, Love wouldn't rule out the possibility that the injury was related to his sprained left knee in the season opener, an injury that sidelined him for two games.

The Packers have their bye week after the Lions game, but that may not play a role in the decision to play Love.

“I would definitely try to come back as soon as possible, even if the bye was next week,” Love said.

Willis, who led the Packers to two wins in Weeks 2 and 3 in place of Love, led a game-winning field goal drive to beat the Jaguars and would start again this week if Love did not play.

Three of the Packers' five offensive line starters – left tackle Rasheed Walker (knee), left guard Elgton Jenkins (gluteus) and center Josh Myers (wrist) – did not practice Wednesday. Neither did running back Josh Jacobs, who suffered an ankle injury late in the game in Jacksonville.

“I’ll be good until the game,” Jacobs said.

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