Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love will be back in the starting lineup Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.
Love arrived at Lambeau Field wearing Brett Favre’s Packers jersey.
Love has missed two games since injuring his left medial collateral ligament in the final series of the Packers’ 34-29 season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil.
Malik Willis has thrived while filling in for Love, helping the Packers (2-1) beat the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans.
“Yeah, definitely, I feel like I’m getting better every day, moving around, getting out there practising and feeling better,” Love said earlier this week.
Sunday’s game is significant for the Packers, as it is a divisional matchup against a Vikings team that has been off to a perfect 3-0 start to their season.
“I’m trying to push it and I’ve been trying to get back as fast as I can no matter who the opponent was,” Love said. “But definitely, you look at this week — an NFC North opponent, 3-0 team, really good team — so definitely it would mean a lot to get back and push myself to get back for this game.”
Love’s ability to move around effectively will be paramount as the Packers face a Vikings defence that has an NFL-leading 16 sacks.
With Love out the last two weeks, the Packers have won on the strength of a dominant rushing attack and opportunistic defence. The Packers lead the NFL in takeaways (nine) and rushing yards (204 per game).
Willis has played a big role in that ground attack by rushing for 114 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. He also has completed 75 per cent of his passes the last two games for 324 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
— With files from the Associated Press.