Quarterback Malik Willis of Green Bay departed the Packers’ 41-24 defeat against the Baltimore Ravens during the latter part of the fourth quarter on Saturday evening, seemingly due to an exacerbated shoulder ailment.
While attempting a pass in the middle of the fourth period, Willis immediately lowered his arm and exclaimed in discomfort. Despite not being contacted on the play, he advanced a short distance before momentarily falling, prompting the Packers’ sports medicine personnel to assist him.
Willis promptly rose and moved towards the changing room. This action opened the opportunity for Clayton Tune to enter the game as his substitute.
Following a scramble that yielded no yardage on his initial snap, Tune subsequently launched a pass directed at Bo Melton, which Marlon Humphrey intercepted deep within the Ravens’ side of the field.
The organization initially stated that Willis’s return was doubtful due to a right shoulder issue. Additional details remain undisclosed. He reappeared from the changing room shortly thereafter, but by the time the Packers regained possession, the contest was already decided. The Ravens consumed the majority of the game clock during his absence and secured a 17-point victory, thereby sustaining their postseason aspirations. Tune concluded the match during its closing moments.
Willis commenced the game on Saturday evening instead of Jordan Love, who had been sidelined due to a concussion sustained the prior week during Green Bay’s defeat against the Chicago Bears. Willis also sustained a shoulder injury in that contest; however, he completed the game after substituting Love and was deemed questionable with the ailment leading up to Saturday night.
During the loss, Willis completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown. He also paced the squad in rushing with 60 yards and two touchdowns on nine attempts. Christian Watson accumulated 113 yards and a touchdown from five receptions. This defeat lowered Green Bay’s record to 9-6-1 and officially awarded the NFC North championship to the Bears.
Tyler Huntley, serving as the starting quarterback in the absence of an injured Lamar Jackson, completed 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. Derrick Henry delivered a commanding performance, rushing for 216 yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries.
The victory advanced Baltimore’s record to 8-8 and preserved their postseason aspirations. The Ravens will now require the Pittsburgh Steelers to suffer a loss on Sunday prior to their Week 18 encounter.
