Malik Willis Could Play Even If He Doesn't Start In Week 4
Even if Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis doesn't start in Week 4 against the undefeated division-rival Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, head coach Matt LaFleur could possibly use Willis in some packages to keep the Vikings on their toes. If Jordan Love (knee) returns for the first time since spraining his left knee in the Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, he won't be 100 percent. The Vikings are preparing to see both Love and Willis on Sunday. Long-time NFL QB Chase Daniel is firmly against the Packers pushing Love to play this week, especially against an ultra-aggressive Vikings D. "You want to know the worst-case situation for the Packers? Love gets destroyed in the pocket and re-aggravates the knee. Play this smart for the long term and play the hot hand. Malik Willis can win this game for you," Daniel said.
Dual-Threat Malik Willis Shines In Packers' Week 3 Win
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis had himself a banner day in Week 3 as he threw for 202 yards and a touchdown through the air in the Packers' 30-14 victory against the Tennessee Titans. Willis also added 73 rushing yards and another touchdown on the ground, showing promise filling in for starting quarterback Jordan Love (knee), who was ruled out this week. Love may return in Week 4 at home against the Minnesota Vikings and that would relegate Willis back to backup quarterbacking duties behind Love. Of course, if Love is back in the lineup for the Packers, Willis can be safely dropped in seasonal fantasy formats.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis is likely to get another start this week as the Packers head to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 3. With Jordan Love (knee) officially questionable on the Packers' injury report, the door is open for Love, but realistically, Willis is a pretty solid favorite to start and play in Week 3. Willis' first start with the Packers against the Colts in Week 2 was carefully managed as he completed 12-of-14 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 41 rushing yards. Head coach Matt LaFleur didn't ask Willis to do too much, but Willis didn't turn the ball over and let the run game do the heavy lifting. The Packers likely mimic the same approach in Week 3 as Green Bay should run the ball with heavy volume and use the pass as a change of pace. Consider Willis a low-end QB2 and a weaker streaming candidate in fantasy this week against Tennessee.
Malik Willis An Efficient Caretaker In Packers' Week 2 Win
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis was thrust into the spotlight after Jordan Love (knee) was ruled out after hurting his knee during the final moments of Green Bay's Week 1 loss. In the Week 2 victory against the Colts, Willis completed 12-of-14 pass attempts for 122 yards and a touchdown pass to Dontayvion Wicks in the first quarter. Willis also added 41 rushing yards on six carries without any turnovers in the victory. While this performance was unexpected considering his career arc to this point, head coach Matt LaFleur had a masterful game plan to not put too much on Willis' plate and lean on the run heavily, with 14 pass attempts to 53 rushing attempts in the game. Willis and the Packers travel to Tennessee to play the Titans in Week 3. For fantasy purposes, Willis should be considered a low-end QB2 for that matchup.
Malik Willis The Likely Starter In Week 2 Against Colts
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis will be the team's starting quarterback until Jordan Love (knee) can return from an MCL sprain he suffered at the end of the game in Week 1. However, the team has left the door open a crack as Love was designated as questionable for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. Perhaps the Packers are playing some mind games with the Colts so they have to leave some preparation for Love on the off chance he is cleared in time to start, but the likely timeline for an MCL sprain is three to six weeks. The Packers also did not put Love on Injured Reserve as well. Willis has been a subpar quarterback option during the sporadic playing time he's gotten in two seasons in Tennessee before coming over to Green Bay after the preseason, but Willis is not a recommended option in fantasy football in Week 2 against the Colts, and in superflex leagues, would only be a desperation QB2 option.
Malik Willis Will Start For Packers With Jordan Love Out
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said on Monday that quarterback Malik Willis will be the team's starter until Jordan Love (knee) is able to return from his MCL sprain, which could take anywhere from three to six weeks. The Packers aren't putting Love on Injured Reserve, which would have required at least a four-game absence, but they are expected to play it safe with the franchise signal-caller's recovery. "If Jordan is not cleared, then we'll start Malik, and Sean will be the backup," LaFleur said. Willis, 25, appears in line to start in Week 2 at Lambeau Field against the Indianapolis Colts, where he'll be a desperation QB2 play in superflex leagues. The Titans former third-round pick will most likely be asked to manage the game for Green Bay's offense, lowering the fantasy ceiling of all of his wideouts, while the Packers could opt to lean on their ground game.
The Green Bay Packers are going to be without starting quarterback Jordan Love (knee) for a few weeks. Love suffered a Grade 1/2 MCL sprain, which could force him to miss three or four games. Malik Willis came into the game in the final seconds after Love went down during Friday's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite that, the Packers haven't committed to Willis being the starting quarterback in Week 2. Willis has only been with the team for a few weeks, so he might not be quite ready for this type of role yet. Sean Clifford is currently on the practice squad and has been with the team since 2023. Those are two are their primary options unless they want to go outside of the organization. Free-agent quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been a rumored name, but wants to join a contending team and be paid well. Regardless of who starts, none of these players are going to be viable fantasy options in most formats.
Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis was traded to the Green Bay Packers for a 2025 seventh-round pick on Monday. With roster cuts underway, the Titans were able to recoup some value on Willis while also clearing a roster spot. The Titans signed Mason Rudolph this offseason and he appears to have won the backup quarterback job. Willis is already listed as the No. 2 quarterback for the Packers. The Packers did not get much out of quarterbacks Sean Clifford or Michael Pratt this preseason. With most teams carrying a maximum of three quarterbacks, either Pratt or Clifford appears to be on the chopping block. Willis gives the Packers a mobile option behind starter Jordan Love. This move does not impact fantasy football unless Love goes down due to injury. However, Willis has valuable starting experience that would be useful if Love were to miss time.
Malik Willis Throws Two Touchdowns In Last Preseason Game
Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis only threw four total passes in a preseason week 3 win over New Orleans, but two of them went for touchdowns. The third-year QB was 3-4 on the day for 51 yards including the game winning score to rookie receiver Bryce Oliver, threading the ball in a tight window for the five yard TD. Willis also added 29 yards on three rushing attempts, showcasing his elite speed on numerous occasions. Willis' future in Nashville has been a major question all offseason, with the Titans bringing in Mason Rudolph to back-up starting QB Will Levis. The Liberty product put on an extremely gutsy performance in the last preseason game with two fourth quarter touchdowns, but it's still tough to see Tennessee keeping three quarterbacks on the active roster for the 2024 season ahead. Willis remains a prime cut candidate, and could see being scooped up by another team if the Titans decide to go that route. Either way, he is non-viable for fantasy barring multiple injuries.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis got some work in Saturday's narrow preseason win over the Seahawks. The 2022 No. 86 overall pick went 12-for-16 passing for 116 yards. He added four carries for 30 yards. Willis was more accurate than Mason Rudolph, who went 10-for-17 passing for 125 yards and a touchdown. However, unlike Rudolph, Willis threw an interception. At any rate, Willis will likely remain behind Rudolph on the depth chart heading into the 2024-25 campaign. Yet, unless Will Levis isn't starting, neither backup quarterback will be relevant for fantasy purposes. The Titans will end their preseason with a meeting with the New Orleans Saints.
Malik Willis
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Packers
