GREEN BAY, Wis — Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is a go for Sunday's border battle, as is Minnesota's Jordan Addison and Dallas Turner.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell announced Friday that both Addison and Turner would be back Sunday, but confirmed linebacker Ivan Pace, Jr. would miss his second straight game with an ankle injury.
Addison's return is particularly notable with Green Bay announcing on Sunday that star cornerback Jaire Alexander would be out while he continues to recover from injuries to his quad and groin. Cornerback Carrington Valentine will also miss Sunday as he deals with an ankle injury.
This will be the first time since the opening week that the Vikings (3-0) will have their top two wide receivers. Tight end T.J. Hockenson is still on the IR after tearing his ACL and MCL last December, but having Justin Jefferson and Addison will be a definite boost as the offense goes up against a Packers defense that has intercepted more passes and forced more turnovers than any team this season.
Love returns after missing the past two weeks for Green Bay (2-1) with a sprained MCL. Backup quarterback Malik Willis was more than serviceable in his absence, winning both starts by completing 25 of 33 (75.7%) for 324 yards and three total touchdowns. Willis also rushed for 114 yards, so it will be worth monitoring if Packers coach Matt LaFleur decides to use both quarterbacks throughout the afternoon to try and throw off the Vikings' defense.
Love had a breakout year last season, throwing for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He struggled early on, primarily down the field, but evolved throughout the season to emerge as one of the top young quarterbacks in the league. In the opening week, Love went 17 of 34 for 260 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a losing effort against the Philadelphia Eagles.
For the Vikings, Addison returns after missing the past two weeks after injuring his ankle in the season opener against the New York Giants. Jalen Nailor has filled in admirably, scoring touchdowns in each of the first three weeks of the season. According to the Vikings, Nailor and Jefferson have a chance to join Hall of Famer Randy Moss as the only players to score receiving touchdowns in each of the first four weeks to open a season.
Turner will bolster Minnesota's pass rush, although, is hasn't missed a beat with him on the sideline. The Vikings currently lead the lead with 16 sacks, and could become the first team in NFL history to start the season with four straight games with five or more sacks, according to team officials.
