GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers quarterback Jordan Love has not yet been officially ruled out but is "unlikely" to play in Saturday's preseason game against the New York Jets, according to head coach Matt LaFleur.
Love injured his throwing shoulder in Green Bay's last game against the Houston Texans, causing him to exit at halftime. He was initially scheduled to play through the third quarter.
Love has not practiced at all this week, though he has been seen in uniform talking with players on the field.
"We're going to be smart with it and do right by him," LaFleur said Thursday morning. "But like any competitor you want to be out there and get that experience."
The Packers are calling the injury a muscle strain. After Saturday's game it sounded like it could be more serious, but Love's MRI came back clean.
If Love can't go, third-string QB Kurt Benkert would get the start. Newly-signed QB Jake Dolegala could gets some snaps later in the game. Aaron Rodgers will likely not play at all in the preseason.
"We've got a lot of confidence in him," LaFleur said of Benkert. "He's been in this league for a while now and I think he's got a good grasp of what we're asking him to do and I though he had a great day of practice yesterday."
Benkert spent three years with the Atlanta Falcons, with most of that time coming on their practice squad. In Saturday's preseason opener he completed 8-12 pass attempts for 88 yards, but also turned the ball over twice in a sloppy second half.
