Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love kept playing through numbness in his throwing hand Sunday after a hit to the elbow, then helped steer an overtime drive that beat the New York Jets 20-17.
Love was seen shaking his right hand several times during the sloppy, rainy game at MetLife Stadium. He stayed in for every meaningful snap and later explained what happened.
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported Love’s account after the game.
“Love said he kept trying to shake out his right hand because he got hit in the elbow and had some numbness.”
The Packers needed that steadiness. They trailed 17-7 in the fourth quarter before scoring the final 13 points of the afternoon.
Love finished 16 of 29 for 145 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. His passer rating was 91.9. Green Bay managed only 199 total yards and converted one of nine third downs.
His first score was a six-yard dump-off to MarShawn Lloyd in the second quarter. His second was a three-yard pass to Christian Watson that made it 17-14 with 7:58 left in regulation.
Rookie kicker Trey Smack tied the game with a 34-yard field goal after a long punt return. In overtime, Love hit Chris Brooks for 15 yards and Matthew Golden for 14 yards to set up Smack’s winning 26-yard kick.
The Packers improved to 1-1 and avoided their first 0-2 start since 2006. The Jets also sit at 1-1 after failing to hold a late lead.
Love has dealt with similar numbness before. In January 2025 he landed on the same elbow against the Chicago Bears, lost feeling in the hand and left that game as a precaution. The sensation faded overnight then, though the elbow stayed sore.
Sunday was different. He never left the field and there was no immediate word of extra tests or a threat to his Week 3 availability.
Green Bay hosts the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night at Lambeau Field. That four-day turnaround leaves little time if the elbow or hand tightens up after the flight home.
The Packers already absorbed other hits. Wide receiver Jayden Reed left with a neck injury and had movement in all extremities, coach Matt LaFleur said. Tackle Zach Bako-Bewele suffered a knee injury that could be season-ending. Guards Aaron Banks and Donovan Jennings also left with injuries.
Love staying in kept the quarterback off that growing list. The next check will come on the practice field this week.
The game itself was messy. The teams combined for 27 accepted penalties and multiple fumbles. Jets quarterback Geno Smith threw for 247 yards and one touchdown but was sacked four times, including twice on the first overtime series.
Lukas Van Ness and the Green Bay defense forced the stop that gave Love one more chance. He took it.
