In a critical Week 17 game, Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis impressed with his play but exited with a shoulder injury, casting doubt on who will start in the season finale as the team looks ahead to the playoffs.
The Packers fell to the Baltimore Ravens 41-24 on Saturday night, a loss that officially handed the NFC North title to the Chicago Bears. Despite the defeat, Willis provided a silver lining by completing 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown, while adding 60 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. His performance included tying a franchise record for deep completions, showcasing the trust placed in him by the coaching staff.
However, Willis’s night ended prematurely when he reaggravated a right shoulder injury on a throw in the fourth quarter. He left the field in visible pain and was briefly evaluated in the locker room, though he returned later when the game was out of reach. His replacement, practice squad quarterback Clayton Tune, threw an interception on his first attempt, highlighting the drop-off in production.
Willis was starting in place of Jordan Love, who was ruled out after failing to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol. Love suffered the concussion in the previous week’s loss to the Bears, and Willis also injured his shoulder in that game, entering Week 17 as questionable. The Packers had hoped Willis could provide a spark, and he did so until the injury setback.
Head coach Matt LaFleur was noncommittal about the quarterback decision for Week 18, emphasizing the priority of getting Love through the protocol. With the Packers already locked into the NFC’s No. 7 playoff seed, LaFleur faces a choice between resting key players or seeking momentum after three consecutive losses. Willis expressed a desire to finish the game and focus on improvement, but his availability is now in question.
The loss dropped Green Bay to 9-6-1, but they had clinched a playoff spot earlier, so the game’s outcome did not affect their postseason positioning. The Ravens, led by backup Tyler Huntley and a dominant Derrick Henry who rushed for 216 yards and four touchdowns, kept their own playoff hopes alive with the win. For the Packers, the focus shifts to health and preparation for the wild-card round.
Looking ahead, the Packers will evaluate both Love and Willis throughout the week before naming a starter for the Week 18 game against the Minnesota Vikings. Willis, who will be a free agent after the season, may have earned consideration for future opportunities with his performance, but for now, the immediate concern is the quarterback uncertainty as the playoffs approach. The team aims to regroup and enter the postseason on a positive note, but injuries have complicated their plans at the most critical position.
