Clayton

Tune

Over three seasons with the Cardinals and Packers, Tune is 21-of-38 for 112 scoreless yards, three interceptions, and has taken 12 sacks. On the bright side, he still has his youth. The Packers decided to add Desmond Ridder to the playoff roster over Tune. We don’t think anything we can say would be meaner than that.

Tune got the start with Jordan Love resting for the postseason and Malik Willis inactive with multiple injuries. He had negative passing yardage until the final few minutes of the game in a game plan that included 11 passes and 33 rushing attempts. Tune was sacked four times and pressured on almost every drop back. He’ll go back to QB3 status in the playoffs.

With little to play for, the Packers will rest key starters ahead of the postseason, including Jordan Love, though he was cleared to suit up for Week 18. Willis will sit, leaving Clayton Tune as the Packers’ starter against a tough Minnesota defense that will likely overwhelm the third year pro. Emmanuel Wilson could function as the Packers’ lead back with Jacobs inactive. JJ McCarthy and the Vikings will likely face second and third stringers on Green Bay’s defense.

Jordan Love is out of the league’s concussion protocol but will get the week off with nothing to play for on Sunday. Malik Willis is dealing with multiple injuries and could be the team’s third-string quarterback this week. Tune made one disastrous start for the Cardinals in 2023. He completed 11-of-20 passes for 53 yards and two interceptions. We don’t expect much offensive output from the Packers this week.

Willis appeared to aggravate the shoulder injury that he suffered in Week 16 against the Bears. The signal-caller was playing exceptionally well prior to the injury, but looked to be in significant pain after stretching the arm on a throw to the outside. Clayton Tune has taken over at quarterback. It did appear that Willis was set to return to this contest, but with the game out of hand, Tune remained in the game. He could start in Week 18 against the Vikings with that game having no meaning, but it’ll be at least somewhat dependent on Jordan Love (concussion) and his health.

Speaking with the media on Sunday, LaFleur discussed the health of both his quarterbacks and said Willis’ injury is “a legitimate deal that he’s dealing with.” While Willis is dealing with a shoulder injury, Jordan Love suffered a concussion in Saturday’s win and will be in concussion protocol to start the week. If both quarterbacks are unable to go this week, 2023 fifth-rounder Clayton Tune would draw the start against the Ravens.

Hardman was waived at last cuts but decided that staying with the Packers made sense. The 27-year-old will likely be elevated in Week 1 if Jayden Reed’s injury is as serious as it seems. Also joining the Packers practice squad are: QB Clayton Tune, RB Israel Abanikanda, DL Deslin Alexandre, DB Johnathan Baldwin, T Brant Banks, DL James Ester, LB Jamon Johnson, K Mark McNamee, DL Arron Mosby, WR Isaiah Neyor, WR Will Sheppard, DB Jaylin Simpson, and LB Kristian Welch.

Tune drew minimal interest from dynasty managers back in 2023, when Kyler Murray was rehabbing from a torn ACL. He will now seek clipboard duties elsewhere. The Cardinals also waived CB Ekow Boye-Doe, TE Oscar Cardenas, OL McClendon Curtis, CB Steven Gilmore, DL Patrick Jenkins, LB Vi Jones, OL Roy Mbaeteka, WR Nate McCollum, OLB Benton Whitley and released WR Andre Baccellia.

The Cardinals already roster backups Jacoby Brissett and Clayton Tune. Bringing Huntley aboard would give them another proven, if unexceptional option. He started five games for the Dolphins in 2024, completing 86-of-133 passes for 831 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions and rushing 26 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns while fumbling six times.

The Cardinals offense was rolling in Week 2, starting with some Kyler Murray magic. While he barely looked for Marvin Harrison Jr. last week, Murray threw a pair of touchdowns his way this week in the first quarter. His third touchdown was off a scramble where he extended the play and found Elijah Higgins for the score. As a rusher, Murray was impactful as well, just under 12 yards per carry on five rushes. The game got out of hand in favor of the Cardinals early, leading to Clayton Tune finishing the game, though Tune fumbled and did not attempt a pass. Murray’s dual-threat ability cements him as a QB1 option for Week 3 against the Lions.