How long is Jordan Love out? Latest updates, recovery time on Packers QB after suffering concussion

After losing Micah Parsons, the Green Bay Packers will likely have to start leaning a bit more heavily on their offense. That would be difficult without QB Jordan Love.

Love exited Saturday's game against the Chicago Bears with a concussion after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from Austin Booker. While Love was able to leave the field under his own power, he did not return and was later formally diagnosed with a concussion.

The Packers have full confidence in backup quarterback Malik Willis, who won two starts in place of Love last season, but they will want to be at full strength for a pivotal Week 17 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

Here’s what you need to know about Love’s outlook for Green Bay’s next game.

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How long is Jordan Love out?

The Packers' next game is also a Saturday contest, which means Love would need to clear concussion protocol in seven days after his injury. 

The length of time needed to recover from a concussion is dependent on each individual player, but the average length of time in the concussion protocol is about nine days, CBS Sports reported in 2023.

That doesn't mean Love can't make it back in time to face the Ravens. Plenty of players do suffer a concussion and suit up the following week, but it's virtually impossible to predict how a player's body will respond and how long it will take for symptoms to dissipate. 

Love will need to return to practice in the week ahead before he can play as part of the protocol, so his practice status later in the week could give fans an early sign about his availability. If Love can't play, Willis would get the start at home against Baltimore.

MORE: How Packers-Bears game impacts NFC North race

Concussion recovery timeline

Here are the steps players have to take to leave the concussion protocol:

Symptom limited activity

In this initial phase, players are instructed to avoid most activity. They are expected to rest and limit anything that could aggravate their symptoms. Eventually, players may progress to limited stretching and light aerobic exercise, provided they are supervised by team training staff.

Aerobic exercise

Players will start to work on cardio exercises along with stretching and training, with team medical staff supervising. After this phase, players can start working on balance testing.

Football-specific exercise

In the third stage, players can take part in football-specific exercises and start working with the team for up to 30 minutes under supervision. Players are also able to increase their cardio workloads.

Club-based non-contact training drills

Players reaching the fourth stage are able to start throwing, catching and running and engage in activities more specific to their position. They also can continue to ramp up their exercise and training. By end of this phase, players have to have undergone neurocognitive and balance testing.

Full football activity/clearance

The player has to be cleared by both the club physician and the independent neurological consultant to return to full activity.

MORE: Complete guide to NFL concussion protocol

Packers remaining schedule

The Packers will close out their season with matchups against the Ravens and Minnesota Vikings.

Green Bay's final home game will come against a Ravens team desperate to stay in AFC North contention, while a resurgent Vikings squad will try to play spoiler in some form against the Packers in Week 18.