NFL Player News

Given the nature of the hit that Love suffered in the second quarter of Saturday’s game, this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Love took a hard shot to the head from Bears defensive end Austin Booker and was immediately removed from the game before later being ruled out. Love’s day ends with a passing line of 77-0-0 on 8-of-13 passing. His best drive came on the Packers’ opening possession of the game, but it stalled in the red zone after a failed pass on fourth-and-one led to a turnover on downs. Backup QB Malik Willis took over for Love following his injury and will draw the start in Week 17 against the Ravens if Love is unable to go.

Even with Josh Jacobs attempting to play through his knee injury, Wilson worked his way into the mix a bit more than normal. He eventually took over for Jacobs, who played only two snaps after a lost fumble in the third quarter, and wound up out-gaining Jacobs 82-36 on the ground. Wilson ran hard and efficiently for the Packers all afternoon, and could be in line for a big role in Week 17 if Jacobs’ knee injury proves too bad to play on. Wilson will be worth rostering wherever available and would be view as a high-end RB2 against the Ravens if Jacobs is unable to go.

Jacobs attempted to again play through his knee injury, but wasn’t nearly as successful as he was in Week 15 when he ran for 12-73-2 vs. the Broncos. Jacobs averaged a paltry 3.0 YPC on the day, with his longest carry coming on a seven-yard gain on the Packers’ second possession. Jacobs lost a key fumble down in the third quarter when he coughed up the ball on the Bears’ three-yard line. Following the fumble, Jacobs appeared on just two offensive snaps the rest of the way while Emanuel Wilson took over as the clear lead back. The decision to sit Jacobs was most likely due to his injury, although it’s worth noting he was never officially ruled out. We’re likely heading toward a third-straight week of little to no practice for Jacobs, who could be at risk of missing Week 17’s game against the Ravens. If he’s unable to go, Wilson would operate as the team’s primary back.

Doubs led the Packers in receiving on the night, with his best play coming on a 33-yard touchdown strike from Malik Willis late in the third quarter. The fourth-year receiver would exit late in this one, however, as a wrist injury suffered in the fourth quarter while attempting to recover an onside kick sidelined him for the overtime period. Saturday’s outing against the Bears marked Doubs’ best performance since he went for 4-53-0 against the Giants in Week 11 against the Giants. He shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a WR4/FLEX option in Week 17 against the Ravens.

Willis came on in place of an injured Jordan Love (concussion) in the second quarter and remained under center for the rest of the game. The fourth-year pro again proved solid in relief of Love, completing all but two passes on the night while throwing a 33-yard score to Romeo Doubs late in the third quarter to put the Packers up 13-3. In overtime, Willis appeared to have the Packers in good shape on their first possession. His 31-yard completion to Jayden Reed moved the Packers into Bears’ territory, but a sack two plays later, followed by a muffed snap on fourth-and-one ended the drive on downs, which proved to be costly in the end. Willis has played well in nearly every outing he’s had for the Packers since joining the team last season. If Love is unable to go in Week 17 against the Ravens, Willis could have some mid-QB2 upside thanks to his abilities as a dual threat.

Moore had a mostly forgettable night before the Bears rallied late in the fourth quarter. On the final drive of regulation, Moore hauled in a key 20-yard reception to help set up an eventual touchdown drive, but it was his heroics in overtime that proved to be the highlight of Saturday’s NFC North clash. On the Bears’ first and only drive of overtime, Moore found himself in single coverage deep downfield against Packers CB Keisean Nixon, and on the receiving end of a 46-yard bomb thrown by Caleb Williams. Moore hauled in the contested target in the end zone to secure the game-winning pass, giving the Bears a win while hauling in his third touchdown in two games. Moore has now had back-to-back big weeks, but needed every last minute to pay off in Week 16. He shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a WR2 in Week 17 against the 49ers.

Williams and the Bears managed just nine offensive points through the first 58 minutes of the game, but an onside kick recovery with less than two minutes to go kick-started one of the more memorable comebacks we will see this season. Williams came up clutch late in the game, completing 6-of-8 passes for 53 yards on the Bears’ final possession in regulation, and capping the drive with a six-yard touchdown pass to rookie UDFA Jahdae Walker. After the Packers’ turnover on downs on the first possession of overtime, Williams again came up clutch. On the fourth play of the Bears’ first overtime drive, Williams found DJ Moore in single coverage downfield, and hit him with a beautifully thrown 46-yard strike to end the game and propel the Bears to a comfortable two-game lead in the NFC North. Williams struggled for much of this game, but the late-heroics were a prime example of what made him the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft. With his Bears now sitting at 11-4, Williams will look to push his team to a 12th win next week against the 49ers. He’ll be a mid-QB2 in the fantasy championships next week.

Watson missed a few plays with an undisclosed injury after colliding with Jayden Reed earlier in the quarter. He returned to the field on the Packers’ next possession and appears to be good to go.

Watson fell victim to friendly fire when he and fellow receiver Jayden Reed collided on a passing play. Both Watson and Reed were injured on the play and went to the sidelines, but Reed returned after missing just one play. Watson was later seen on the sideline with his helmet, so it’s possible he’ll return on the Packers’ next drive.

Love was sacked on a first down in the second quarter and took a hard helmet-to-helmet hit from Bears defensive end Austin Booker. Booker was flagged on the play for roughing the passer, but Love remained down for several minutes before heading to the sideline and then the locker room to be evaluated. He is considered as questionable to return at this time. Backup Malik Willis took over for Love.