Packers depth chart shakeup as Jordan Love ruled out with shoulder injury, Malik Willis steps in to face Ravens tonight in unexpected backup battle

The Green Bay Packers face a critical depth chart shakeup tonight against the Baltimore Ravens as starting quarterback Jordan Love has been ruled out due to a lingering concussion and shoulder injury. The 27-year-old quarterback suffered a helmet-to-helmet hit in last week’s overtime loss to Chicago and was placed in concussion protocol. Malik Willis will make his first start of 2025, taking over the offensive duties at Lambeau Field.

The Jordan Love Injury Setting Up Major Depth Chart Changes

Jordan Love sustained a concussion during the second quarter of Green Bay’s Week 16 game against the Chicago Bears. Initial reports indicated he might return, but league protocol and additional evaluation revealed a left shoulder injury that complicated his recovery timeline. The Packers downgraded him from questionable to out on Friday.

Love was limited in practice throughout the week following the collision, a sign the team was being cautious with their star player heading into a critical matchup. The decision to sit him against Baltimore prioritizes his long-term health over immediate playoff positioning, with the Packers still fighting for positioning in a competitive NFC playoff hunt.

Malik Willis Steps In As Primary Starter Against Ravens

Malik Willis, acquired by the Packers in a trade with the Tennessee Titans for a seventh-round pick in 2024, gets his chance to lead the offense. Despite dealing with his own injury—a right shoulder injury and illness—Willis was cleared to start and is expected to be active for the game. He offers an intriguing dynamic with his mobility, averaging six yards per carry since joining the team.

Willis has appeared in limited action this season but gained valuable experience in relief when needed. His athleticism provides a different dimension than Love’s typical pocket-passing approach, potentially keeping Ravens defenders on their heels with designed runs and scrambles during critical moments.

Quarterback	Status	Key Attribute
Jordan Love	Out (Concussion/Shoulder)	Pocket Passer
Malik Willis	Starting	Mobile/Athletic
Clayton Tune	Elevated from Practice Squad	Emergency Third String

Clayton Tune Elevated As Emergency Depth Following Recent Signings

Clayton Tune, a 26-year-old signal-caller signed to the Packers practice squad in late August, has been elevated to the active roster for Saturday night‘s contest. Tune, a third-year pro from the University of Houston, spent his college career accumulating 40 touchdowns in his final season and was previously with the Arizona Cardinals. His elevation underscores the significance of the depth chart disruption.

While Tune is unlikely to see meaningful action, his presence provides insurance against multiple backups becoming unavailable. The Packers organization values having experienced quarterbacks available should an unexpected emergency arise during the game, particularly against a physical Ravens defense known for aggressive play.

How the Depth Chart Shakeup Impacts Short-Term Strategy

The Packers‘ offensive game plan will likely adjust significantly with Willis under center. Offensive coordinator designs will probably feature more read-option plays, designed rollouts, and opportunities to capitalize on Willis’s athleticism compared to the traditional pocket structure built around Love. Line protection schemes may also shift to account for different release timing and mobility patterns.

Green Bay’s receiving corps retains talent with Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Marvin Harrison Jr. ready to execute adjusted routes. The Ravens defense, meanwhile, becomes slightly less predictable in their preparation after only limited time to engineer adjustments for Willis‘s unique skill set. This unpredictability could benefit Green Bay in a competitive playoff-race matchup.

Can the Packers Overcome Dual Backup QB Challenges With Lamar Jackson Also Sidelined?

The Packers vs. Ravens matchup becomes remarkably unique with both starting quarterbacks unavailable. Baltimore turns to Tyler Huntley to lead their offense, creating a genuine backup quarterback battle in Week 17. The Ravens feature one of the league’s elite defenses anchored by Lamar Jackson-era continuity, though his absence opens opportunities for Green Bay‘s defense to pressure whoever takes snaps for Baltimore.

For Packers fans monitoring playoff seeding, this moment represents an opportunity rather than a complete disaster. A victory over a Ravens team also working through significant depth issues could solidify Green Bay’s position heading into the final regular-season stretch. The depth chart may be disrupted, but Willis and the supporting cast still possess the talent to compete at a championship level.

“Malik Willis, a former third-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titans, who was traded to the Packers for a seventh-round pick less than two weeks before the 2024 season opener, will do whatever is asked of him.”

— PackersNews.com, Team Coverage

Sources

• NFL.com – Official injury reports and roster transactions
• ESPN – Game preview and player analysis
• Packers.com – Team announcements and depth chart updates