NFL Week 1 Injury Spotlight: Green Bay Packers Quarterback Jordan Love MCL Sprain

The NFL season has finally returned! Week 1 wrapped up with several key injuries across the league. We will be focusing on Green Bay Packers quarterback, Jordan Love’s MCL sprain, sustained Friday night in their 34-29 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil. In the final seconds of the game, he was tackled by two Eagle’s players causing his knee to “pop.” He immediately went to the ground holding his knee and writhing in pain. Frantic thoughts of a season ending ACL tear poured through the minds of Packers fans.

The training staff evaluated Love and helped him off the field. He would undergo further evaluation and imaging later. Ultimately and to the relief of Packers fans, Jordan Love was diagnosed with an MCL sprain, with the hope of returning in 3-4 weeks.

Let’s talk about what this means for the Packers starting quarterback. The MCL is a ligament that connects the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone), along the inside of the knee. This ligament helps protect the knee from being stressed into a knock-knee or bow-legged positioning. The Packers did not confirm what grade sprain Love has, however based on a 3-4 week return we can hypothesize it’s a grade 1 sprain.

MCL sprains are graded based on their severity: Grade I (mild), Grade II (moderate), and Grade III (severe). A Grade I sprain will have a few fibers torn, some pain, and little to no swelling, and good stability. Healing usually occurs in 2-4 weeks. A Grade II sprain will have pain, a partial tearing of the ligament, more instability, swelling, and joint stiffness. Healing will occur between 4-6 weeks. A Grade III sprain will have a complete rupture of the ligament, gross instability, swelling, and severe pain followed by a dull ache. Healing takes 6 weeks or more, with potential surgery extending that timeframe. Luckily for Jordan Love, it looks as though he will not need surgery, and the Packers are optimistic he will be returning in 4 weeks again indicating he may only have a Grade I sprain.

What is Jordan Love doing while he’s not cleared to play? The Packers quarterback is dedicating his time to rehabbing his knee. Currently, the focus will be to minimize swelling and maintain his range of motion. He will also go through appropriate strength exercises, balance training, and cardio to maintain his fitness level and avoid deconditioning. As his symptoms continue to improve, he will transition to sport specific exercises and start light practices. They will want to make sure that he is strong and confident in his knee’s ability to perform at the highest level before returning to full activity. When he is fully cleared by his medical team he will be back out on the field. Right now, his dedication and commitment to his rehabilitation is going to play a major role in when and how he returns. The Green Bay Packers hope to see Jordan Love back in action against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4!