Green Bay

Packers

Love’s two-week absence appears set to come to a conclusion as the Packers host the division-rival Vikings in Week 4 due to a sprained MCL injury that initially looked much more severe. The Packers lost a close one to the Eagles in Week 1 before rattling off consecutive victories with Malik Willis under center, largely due to elite offensive game plans from head coach Matt LaFleur and a defense forcing the most turnovers per game. Jayden Reed, in particular, gets a significant bump with Love back in the starting lineup against one of the top defenses in the league through three weeks.

This could create a potentially frustrating situation for Love’s fantasy managers. While we would expect Love to play the majority of snaps if active, the prospects of Willis vulturing a rushing touchdown near the goal-line could be in play. We wouldn’t let this scare us off of starting Love in Week 4 if he’s active, but it’s something to keep in mind for fantasy managers who may have multiple quarterback options at their disposal.

Alexander is off to a hot start this year with two interceptions, one of which he took to the house, and four pass breakups so far. He has also held his own against Justin Jefferson in the past, making his status for Week 4 all the more concerning for Packers fans. Jefferson has topped 60 yards once in six career games versus Green Bay.

Kraft has been having his practice reps managed because of the shoulder injury, but it’s not something that will prevent him from suiting up unless things worsen. With Jordan Love potentially returning, Kraft could be on the menu as a TE2 streaming this week. Fantasy managers will want to make sure Love is active before putting Kraft in their lineups. Luke Musgrave (quad) is also good to go.

Reed has been a mainstay on the Packers’ injury report this year but has yet to miss any time. He was never at risk of doing so this week. With Jordan Love likely to return, Reed will jump back into the WR2 ranks for his matchup with Minnesota.

Love was limited in practice throughout the week. He was also listed as questionable last week, though he obviously did not end up playing. A Week 4 return looks probable after a trio of limited practices. The Packers understandably took the air out of the ball with Malik Willis under center. They will likely stick with a run-first approach in Love’s first game back, but his return will still boost the fantasy outlooks of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Christian Watson. Love himself will sit on the QB1/2 border if he gets cleared for action.

Love has been a limited participant in each of the Packers’ first two practices this week, a sign that he’s trending toward a return for Week 4. It’s long been believed that Love will return in Week 4 after being listed as questionable ahead of Week 3, so it’s possible the decision to delay any official announcement for Week 4 is more of a “competitive advantage” thing. Assuming he doesn’t suffer any setbacks in practice, Love will likely be listed as questionable heading into the weekend, with his official game-day status being revealed 90 minutes before kick-off. If he can’t go, Malik Willis would make his third start for the Packers.

Kraft was limited in practice last Wednesday as well but was removed from the injury report entirely on Friday. Expect the same to happen this week. Luke Musgrave was also on the injury report today. He was limited with a quad injury. There has been no indication he will miss Week 4 either. Kraft will be a low-end TE2 with Jordan Love likely to rejoin the lineup.

Love has missed two weeks because of the knee injury but is on track to make his return in Week 4 versus the Vikings. Head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters earlier today that Love was making progress. He also said last week that it would be “ideal” for Love to return to practice before retaking the field. All signs point to the young quarterback suiting up this week. Despite returning to a tough matchup versus Brian Flores’s shutdown defense, Love will be a low-end QB1 once cleared for action.

The quad injury is technically new for Reed, though it would be a surprise if it limits him beyond practice. Reed has been listed with the calf issue all year and had a shin injury on his report as well. Neither stopped him from playing and the second-year receiver is up to 289 yards from scrimmage through three games. With Jordan Love potentially returning this week, Reed profiles as a WR2 for Week 4.