GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers have moved to solidify their quarterback depth ahead of the regular-season finale, signing veteran Desmond Ridder to the practice squad. The transaction, announced Wednesday, comes as the organization manages significant injury concerns involving both starter Jordan Love and primary backup Malik Willis.
The move provides a necessary insurance policy for a Packers team that has already secured the NFC’s seventh and final playoff seed. With their postseason position locked, Green Bay faces a Week 18 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings with a compromised quarterback room.
Jordan Love remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol following a helmet-to-helmet hit sustained during a Week 16 overtime loss to the Chicago Bears on December 20. While Love was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, he has yet to be officially cleared for game action. Head coach Matt LaFleur described the situation as “delicate,” noting that recovery from head injuries can be a “moving target.”
Simultaneously, backup Malik Willis is navigating multiple ailments. Willis, who started last Saturday’s 41–24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, is currently dealing with a right throwing shoulder injury originally sustained against Chicago, as well as a hamstring issue. Willis was a limited participant in Wednesday’s session.
“We want to make sure we’re protected,” LaFleur said regarding the addition of Ridder. “With the injuries to both Jordan and Malik, it was important to get another arm in here who has starting experience in this league.”
Ridder, 26, joins the Packers after previously spending time on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad earlier this season. A former third-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons, Ridder has 17 career NFL starts. His arrival ensures that if the Packers choose to rest their primary signal-callers on Sunday, they will have a viable alternative alongside third-string quarterback Clayton Tune.
Tune saw limited action in the Week 17 loss to Baltimore after Willis’ shoulder injury was aggravated. If Love and Willis are unavailable or held out for precautionary reasons, Ridder could be elevated to the active roster to serve as the primary backup or starter in Minneapolis.
Despite the recent injury hurdles, LaFleur reaffirmed that Love remains the team’s “franchise quarterback” and will start once healthy. However, with a Wild Card round matchup looming, the Packers’ priority remains ensuring their leadership is at full strength for the start of the postseason.
