Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has explained why he and the team’s medical staff agreed it was best to repair the ligament in his left thumb now rather than wait until the offseason.
Love’s 2024 season was marked by multiple injuries — an MCL sprain in the opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, a midseason groin issue, and an ulnar nerve injury in his throwing elbow this January. Despite missing only two games, the 26-year-old struggled to deliver the breakout year many expected. Team officials believe that a fully healthy Love can help unlock the Packers’ potential and elevate their offense to elite status.
The thumb injury occurred last weekend when Love struck it on the helmet of New York Jets defensive tackle Jay Tufele during a preseason matchup. With the season opener still weeks away, doctors recommended surgery so he could be at full strength for Week 1. Love admitted that if the injury had happened midseason, surgery would likely have been postponed.
The procedure was successful, and Love is expected to return under center for Green Bay’s Sept. 7 clash with the Detroit Lions. While his absence from practice delays building chemistry with a receiving corps already hit by injuries, both he and the team believe the short-term sacrifice will pay off over the long haul.
After finishing last season 11-6, the Packers are aiming to contend for the NFC crown in 2025. If Love returns to peak form, this decision to act early on his thumb injury might be remembered as one of the season’s pivotal turning points.
About the Author
