A day after the Green Bay Packers released Jordan Love from the injured list, the team felt compelled to add another quarterback to the roster ahead of Sunday's wild-card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Packers signed quarterback Sean Clifford to the 53-man roster so he can serve as an emergency backup to Love if needed in Sunday's NFC wild-card game against the host Philadelphia Eagles, the team announced Saturday.
Love is off the injured list and expected to start Sunday, and backup QB Malik Willis is also expected to be ready to play, but both have been dealing with injuries this week. Willis injured his right (throwing) thumb against the Bears, but participated fully in practice Friday for the second straight day and was cleared for the game.
More importantly, Love made solid progress throughout the week after leaving the Packers' Week 18 loss to Chicago with a right elbow injury. He participated in full practice Thursday and Friday and did not receive any injury designations.
“He did well,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said after practice. “Today was a good day.”
However, fans were perplexed by Saturday's move.
Starter Jordan Love (pictured) is off the injured list and is expected to start Sunday.
The Packers signed quarterback Sean Clifford (pictured) to the 53-man roster so he can serve as an emergency backup to Love if needed in Sunday's NFC wild-card game.
Love is off the injured list and expected to start Sunday, and backup QB Malik Willis (pictured) is also expected to be ready to play, but both have been dealing with injuries this week.
'What does that mean?' asked a fan on X.
'Hmm….ofc I love cooked elbow, don't you?' another asked.
Love threw for 3,389 yards and 25 touchdowns against 11 interceptions in 15 games this season.
Clifford, Green Bay's fifth-round pick (149th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft, had been on the Packers' practice squad.
His only NFL action came in 2023 when he appeared in two games. Clifford replaced Love late in Green Bay's Week 1 victory over the Chicago Bears, and had a scoreless run. He completed a 37-yard pass to Bo Melton in the Week 17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings as his only other play.
Green Bay will be without receiver Christian Watson, who tore the ACL in his right knee against the Bears. Safety Zayne Anderson (concussion) also was ruled out.
Five Packers are listed as questionable, including standout linebacker Quay Walker (ankle). Walker missed the last three games.
The others are offensive tackle Andre Dillard (concussion), safety Evan Williams (quadriceps) and defensive linemen Brenton Cox Jr. (foot) and Tedarrell Slaton (ankle).