The Green Bay Packers have decided to start quarterback Clayton Tune in their regular-season finale on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. This decision comes as the team aims to rest Jordan Love while he prepares for the playoffs.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur announced on Thursday that Love has passed through concussion protocol but is not expected to participate in the game against the Vikings, who currently hold an 8-8 record. Meanwhile, the Packers, with a record of 9-6-1, have already secured the NFC”s No. 7 playoff seed, rendering the final game of the season without any postseason stakes.
Love has not taken the field since suffering a helmet-to-helmet blow during a 22-16 overtime defeat to the Chicago Bears on December 20. Despite his absence, Love expressed confidence in his ability to perform in the playoffs, stating, “I think the only thing as a quarterback that you”re not simulating is getting hit.” He added that the preparation he has undergone in practice should alleviate any concerns regarding rustiness.
Malik Willis, who played the remainder of the Bears game and started the Packers” 41-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Saturday, is dealing with injuries to both his shoulder and hamstring. While Love participated fully in practice, Willis was limited during Wednesday”s session. To add depth, the Packers have signed Desmond Ridder to their practice squad, with LaFleur noting the possibility of Ridder being active for the upcoming game.
Tune, 26, initially joined the Packers” practice squad before the season and was promoted to the active roster earlier this week. Reflecting on his opportunity, he remarked, “Any time you get an opportunity to play in an NFL game, it”s a huge blessing. So (I”m) just excited for the opportunity to go out and play and trust the training that I”ve put in for the last however many weeks it”s been.”
In his brief NFL experience, Tune completed 1-of-4 passes for 8 yards and one interception after entering the Ravens game in the fourth quarter. Previously, he played in 13 games and started once for the Arizona Cardinals, who drafted him from Houston in the fifth round of the 2023 draft. In that one start, he was sacked seven times as the Cardinals managed only 58 total yards in a 27-0 defeat against the Cleveland Browns on November 5, 2023.
Tune expressed how much he has grown since that start, saying, “I would say I”m obviously more experienced, been around the game more. Obviously seeing more looks, seeing more defenses, so I would say I”m obviously a better player just from being in the NFL for two years longer, but just I”ve seen it before and I kind of know what to expect now that I”ve got a start under my belt.”
Additionally, LaFleur mentioned that newly acquired cornerback Trevon Diggs, who was claimed off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys, may also see action against the Vikings.
