The Green Bay Packers have elevated quarterback Sean Clifford to the roster ahead of their Wild Card faceoff with the Eagles tomorrow.
According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, "The #Packers signed QB Sean Clifford to the 53-man roster, allowing them to make him their emergency QB tomorrow. Jordan Love and Malik Willis are both good to go, but were limited this week. A little insurance."
The #Packers signed QB Sean Clifford to the 53-man roster, allowing them to make him their emergency QB tomorrow.
Jordan Love and Malik Willis are both good to go, but were limited this week. A little insurance.
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Love is off the injury list in time for tomorrow's game, despite a scare from an elbow injury suffered in last week's regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears.
The QB left the game after landing on his right elbow and experiencing numbness in his throwing hand but was able to practice fully on Thursday and Friday. Head coach Matt LaFleur reported a positive update following Friday's session: "He did well. Today was a good day."
After being limited in practice earlier in the week, Love's quick recovery suggests he's fully prepared to start in one of the most crucial games of his career.
Malik Willis, Love's backup, was also a full participant in practice after sustaining a thumb injury to his throwing hand during the Bears game, and he has no injury designation for Sunday's game.
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However, in a move to ensure they have adequate depth at quarterback, the Packers have elevated rookie Sean Clifford to the 53-man roster for this playoff game.
The fifth-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, who had been on the practice squad, will serve as the team's emergency quarterback against the Eagles. Although Love and Willis are both cleared to play, this move provides a guarantee should anything happen to either of them during the game.
Clifford made his NFL debut earlier this season, stepping in for Love late in a Week 1 win over the Bears and completing one rush for no gain. He saw more action in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings, completing a 37-yard pass to Bo Melton in a victory.
While Love's health was in question this week, the Packers also hope to see a strengthened defense as linebacker Quay Walker (ankle) and safety Evan Williams (quadriceps), who each missed the last three regular-season games, are expected to return.
Today in 2024: Packers clinch NFC's final playoff spot with 17-9 win over Bears. Jordan Love connects with Dontayvion Wicks for two TD passes, while Green Bay's defense generates five sacks and holds Chicago to 192 total yards. pic.twitter.com/g8aEjVHoGm
— Packers History (@HistoricPackers) January 8, 2025Both are officially listed as questionable, but it's looking increasingly likely they'll suit up to help bolster a defensive unit that has shown promise throughout the season.
The 2025 season has been a turbulent one for Love, marked by several injuries that have tested his resilience.
The season opener against the Eagles, in which the Packers lost 25-17 in the NFL's historic debut in Brazil, saw Love suffer an MCL sprain that knocked him out of the game early. That injury set the stage for more physical setbacks, including a groin issue that forced him to miss a couple of games.
Despite those challenges, Love has proven his toughness, finishing the regular season with solid numbers: 25 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and an average of 225.9 passing yards per game across 15 starts.
Though this will be just his second playoff appearance, Love's first postseason game last season left a lasting impression.
The Packers, seeded seventh in the NFC, upset the second-seeded Dallas Cowboys in a Wild Card thriller. Love threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his ability to perform on the biggest stage and leading Green Bay to an unlikely victory.
The Packers enter Sunday's game against the NFC East champions, the No. 2 seed Philadelphia Eagles, with a similar underdog mentality.
Though the Eagles (14-3) boast one of the league's top teams, Love and the Packers (11-6) will look to ride their momentum into another upset win, hoping to advance past the Wild Card round once again.
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