Packers' Love to undergo thumb surgery, expected to play Week 1

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love will undergo surgery to repair ligament damage in his left thumb, general manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters Tuesday.

The team hopes Love will be back at practice next week, and he's expected to be ready for the season opener Sept. 7 against the Detroit Lions, Gutekunst added.

Love was injured in Green Bay's preseason contest Saturday when he hit his thumb on a player's helmet. He suited up in practice Monday to test out his hand.

"He wanted to go out there yesterday to kinda see how it felt," Gutekunst said. "Once we got through that, we made the decision and he should meet us in (Indianapolis) on Wednesday."

Love missed two games last season after exiting the Packers' Week 1 contest with a knee injury. Malik Willis, who is Green Bay's backup quarterback again this year, went 2-0 as the starter in Love's absence.

The 26-year-old Love signed a four-year, $220-million extension in June 2024. He finished ninth in EPA/play among 32 qualifying quarterbacks last season while throwing for 3,389 passing yards with 25 touchdowns.