GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis described the shoulder injury he suffered entering the locker room midway through Saturday’s fourth quarter as nothing more than an “adjustment.”
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Willis could return to the game if necessary. The Packers elected to keep Willis on the sidelines after Baltimore’s Derrick Henry scored the game-clinching touchdown with less than two minutes remaining in the Baltimore Ravens’ 41-24 victory.
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Willis was performing well as the starter in place of Jordan Love until an injury to his throwing shoulder appeared to aggravate. Willis was replaced by Clayton Thune, whose only pass attempt of the night was intercepted by Marlon Humphrey.
“Just feeling a little uncomfortable,” Willis said. “I felt good from all the treatments. At that point in the game, it was a little sore.”
A week ago, Willis injured his pitching shoulder when he was sacked on the final play of the fourth quarter of a 22-16 overtime loss to Chicago, although he played the remainder of that game. He played in that game after Love suffered a helmet-to-helmet hit that sent him into a concussion.
Although the Packers suffered a three-game losing streak on Saturday, Willis performed well enough to continue making a good impression on the rest of the league as he prepares to enter free agency this offseason. His performance in supporting Love over the past two seasons could give some teams a chance to move him to the starting quarterback role.
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Willis won both games he started last season in place of the injured Love. On Saturday, he went 18-of-21 for 288 yards and a touchdown through the air while also rushing for 60 yards and two scores on nine carries.
“He deserves an opportunity to get the starting quarterback job in this league because of the way he performed in Green Bay and the way he answered the call every time, he did a really, really good job,” Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy said.
Willis’ performance was even more impressive because he had been limited all week with a shoulder issue and also battled an ailment that kept him out of Wednesday’s practice.
“I just think it speaks to the type of competitor Malik Willis is,” LaFleur said. “I mean, he was as tough as anybody. He was out there playing game after game. He was one of the few highlights of the night for me in terms of his ability. He hit the ball, he pitched the ball accurately. It was a crazy week because he didn’t get real reps, missed a day with an illness and then came back. He was dialed in, man, and I thought he played really well.”
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After Sunday’s game, Willis wasn’t really thinking about his future. He’s more concerned with helping the Packers, who are heading toward the playoffs after losing each of their last three games.
“I think what you put on tape is your pitch,” Willis said. “Obviously, you know, any opportunity, it’s going to be a blessing and you want to think about those kinds of things, but you can’t worry about tomorrow. Today has enough problems in itself. We’ve got to figure out how to get back on track.”
Green Bay’s injury issues will make it difficult for the Packers to get back on track.
The Packers have already lost Pro Bowl pass rusher Micah Parsons, tight end Tucker Craft, defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt and center Elgton Jenkins to injuries. Willis’ shoulder issue capped a brutal Saturday night that sent safety Zahn Anderson, defensive lineman Jordon Riley and cornerback Kamal Haden to the locker room, cornerback Nate Hobbs suffered a knee injury and receiver Dontavion Weeks was evaluated for a concussion.
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