GREEN BAY – Packers quarterback Jordan Love was making no promises, but he did not hesitate to express his desire for Sunday's NFC North showdown with the Lions.
"I definitely want to play," Love said. "I think it's realistic."
He missed practice Wednesday due to the groin injury that sidelined him early in the third quarter of last week's game in Jacksonville, and he's taking things day by day.
Asked whether Love could play even if he doesn't practice all week, Head Coach Matt LaFleur replied, "Potentially."
"He's moving around better," LaFleur said. "Certainly, yeah, we'll push the envelope with that. I know he wants to play but we'll see where he's at by the end of the week."
Love said he'd feel fine playing without practicing, even though it's not ideal, especially for such a big game against the first-place Lions, who are 6-1 and a half game ahead of the 6-2 Packers in the division.
There's a lot to weigh. On the one hand, with the Packers going into their bye next week, all that additional rest and recovery time could be beneficial for the long haul. On the other, there's no disputing the magnitude of this contest.
With the Lions having already beaten the Vikings (5-2) in Minnesota, and the Packers having lost to the Vikings at home, Detroit could take command of the NFC North with a win. Or, a Green Bay win could erase any substantial edge in the race heading into November.
All that was known Wednesday is nobody was making any decisions just yet.
"We'll monitor it, but obviously a big division opponent coming up so I'm going to do all I can to try to get back," Love said.
If he can't go, Malik Willis would make his third start of the season. He won the previous two, back in Weeks 2-3 over the Colts and Titans, and then he pulled out last week's game against the Jaguars in relief of Love.
Seven weeks ago before that first start, Willis had barely arrived in Green Bay from the trade with Tennessee. Seeing his success as he's learned and absorbed the offense, now LaFleur and the coaching staff are "a lot more" comfortable and confident in what he can do.
So is Willis, whose play in Love's eyes has been "big time."
"It's a different time, it's a different situation," Willis said, expressing no doubts he'll be ready if needed. He mentioned the communication he has with Love on the practice field and in the meeting rooms remains extensive regardless, and the two have developed a strong working relationship.
Whoever's at QB, the challenge this week is significant.
Defensively, the Lions are without top pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, but they've intercepted 10 passes, with safeties Kerby Joseph (five) and Brian Branch (four) combining for nine of those.
"They're definitely ballhawk players," Love said. "We have a feel for them, and you've just got to always be smart with the ball, be picky, make great reads."
Offensively, the Lions are averaging more than 40 points per game over the last month and can really put pressure on opposing teams to keep up.
The Packers are confident they can do so, but they know they must play a more complete game offensively than they have most weeks. Penalties have been reduced lately, but the offense has gone five straight games without a turnover-free outing.
"There's highs, there's lows. It's definitely not ever going to be perfect," Love said. "But I think when we know there's mistakes and mental errors that we're having on our own end, that it's stuff we can clean up, that's the frustrating part.
"I don't think we've played our best performance yet, so we're definitely still trying to hunt for that."
