Jordan Love Clears Concussion Protocol but Won’t Play in Week 18; Packers Turn to Clayton Tune

As the Green Bay Packers prepare for their Week 18 regular‑season finale against the Minnesota Vikings, a key quarterback decision has dropped: Jordan Love has officially cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol but will not take the field this Sunday, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed. Instead, unexpected starter Clayton Tune will get the nod under center in what now amounts to a formality ahead of the playoffs.

The news brings a mix of optimism and cautious strategy to a Green Bay team that has locked up a NFC Wild Card berth but has seen its quarterback situation evolve over the closing weeks of the season.

Love Cleared, But Resting for Playoffs

Love, who suffered a concussion in Week 16 during a loss to the Chicago Bears, has gone through all stages of the NFL’s concussion protocol and received medical clearance this week. That means he is no longer listed with concussion protocol restrictions and is eligible to play.

Despite being cleared, however, LaFleur and the Packers have opted not to play Love in Week 18. The decision is being described as a mix of preserving his health and maximizing postseason preparation, especially since the Packers’ seed—the NFC’s No. 7 spot—cannot change regardless of the result.

Instead, Green Bay will turn to third‑string quarterback Clayton Tune to start against the Vikings. Tune was elevated to the roster late in the season and saw a handful of snaps late in the Week 17 game. That experience, though limited, is now central to the Packers’ Week 18 plan

Backup quarterback Malik Willis, who filled in for Love last week and posted an impressive stat line before aggravating a shoulder and hamstring issue, remains limited and unavailable to start. That leaves Tune as Green Bay’s most viable option with Love sidelined and Willis not fully healthy.

Why the Packers Are Sitting Love

According to team sources and media reports, the decision to hold Love out of action this week isn’t due to ongoing health concerns, but rather a strategic choice aimed at protection and focus:

• Playoff positioning won’t change regardless of a win or loss in Week 18. The Packers are locked into the NFC’s seventh seed.

• Resting Love allows the coaching staff to preserve their franchise quarterback’s health and rhythm into the postseason.

• Love will still be available as an emergency option if needed, but the likelihood of meaningful game action is low.

This approach mirrors a trend across the league where teams with secured playoff spots choose to protect key players from unnecessary regular‑season snaps that could risk injury. Given Love’s importance to Green Bay’s future, giving him an extended break makes sense from a long‑term planning perspective.

Packers’ QB Room Has Seen Turnover

Love’s concussion was just one of several quarterback‑room developments for Green Bay this season. After missing time due to injury, Love was replaced by Willis in the Week 17 game, where Willis delivered a standout performance—completing nearly all his passes, throwing a touchdown, and adding rushing scores before his own injury limited his availability.

With Willis still recovering, the Packers signed former starter Desmond Ridder to their practice squad this week, giving them added depth behind Tune should something unforeseen occur.

• Jordan Love: medically cleared but resting

• Clayton Tune: starting vs. Vikings

• Desmond Ridder: potential backup elevation

• Malik Willis: injured and unavailable

The mix of experience and uncertainty at the position underscores how unpredictable NFL seasons can be and how vital it is to manage player health as the playoffs loom.

Love’s 2025 Season and Playoff Outlook

Despite missing time, Love has had a productive 2025 campaign when healthy. Through 15 starts prior to his concussion, Love compiled 3,381 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, helping the Packers secure a playoff berth.

Green Bay’s offense has faced ups and downs—finishing the season with a 9‑6‑1 record after a tough loss to the Baltimore Ravens—but Love remains central to the franchise’s long‑term plans. His clearance from protocol, his strong statistical year, and the deliberate decision to rest him underscore that confidence.

What This Means for Week 18 and Beyond

Sunday’s game against the Vikings now carries more developmental and strategic weight than competitive urgency:

• Tune’s opportunity: The third‑string signal‑caller now gets his first true NFL start, a chance to showcase his skills in game conditions.

• Player health priority: Love being held out signals the Packers’ commitment to getting their starter healthy and prepared for the playoffs rather than risking a short‑term return.

• Roster depth evaluation: Green Bay’s quarterback shuffle highlights the importance of depth and contingency planning as teams approach postseason play.

While Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has yet to name his quarterback for the game—common for a team that has already been eliminated from playoff contention—the matchup still offers a final tune‑up for Green Bay and its backups.

Looking Ahead to the Playoffs

With Love healthy and back in full practice, the Packers can now shift full focus to the postseason. Green Bay’s next game will be a road wild‑card matchup against either the Chicago Bears or the Philadelphia Eagles, depending on playoff outcomes. The time off in Week 18 could provide Love with additional preparation and mental reps, which may pay dividends in January.

For Packers fans, the key takeaway is that their franchise quarterback is cleared, rested, and being protected for what really matters—the postseason. Tune’s Week 18 start gives depth chart clarity, and Love’s recovery positions him to take the field when it counts most.