The approach made a lot of sense, both in the moment and in the bigger picture for the Packers. LaFleur was able to avoid exposing his quarterback to unnecessary hits in a game they clearly dominated (especially defensively), and with just five days between games — Green Bay hosts the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving — minimizing Love’s exposure was especially important.
That doesn’t mean the plan is foolproof. Love will almost certainly have to lead his team in a crucial spot in the coming days and weeks, at which point he will no longer have the luxury of physical defense.
Fortunately, this isn’t the first time Love has dealt with an injury on that side of his body this season. A thumb problem forced him to undergo surgery in August, which gave him the opportunity to learn how to implement unconventional solutions to avoid using his left hand and/or arm.
“I think early on when I had my thumb surgery I was doing a lot with my right hand and I think I just subconsciously started doing that in this game,” Love said.
It’s never comforting to know your quarterback is operating at less than full strength, but that’s the hand the Packers have been dealt as they head into Thanksgiving firmly in the playoffs at 7-3-1. They know they must overcome these and other challenges as best they can, including taking steps to protect love whenever possible.
“There are things you can do and we’ve done those things,” Love said. “So we’ll continue to do them but I’m not going to continue to go into the details and talk through it, but there are definitely things we’ve done to help us and be able to play and hopefully put me on the best foot.
“But at the end of the day, anytime you’re injured, playing through things, there’s always the chance of more injuries, like that.”
When week 13 comes, there is a risk that everyone will agree that it is necessary.