Malik Willis shines, but Packers uncertain who'll start Week 18 - ESPN

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Even one of the few bright spots from the Green Bay Packers' performance in Saturday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens had an unhappy ending.

Backup quarterback Malik Willis, who started because Jordan Love did not clear concussion protocol, had to leave in the midst of his finest performance as a pro because his ailing right shoulder acted up in the fourth quarter. Willis could have returned to the game after a brief locker-room checkup, but by then, the 41-24 loss had been decided.

It left Green Bay with a decision to make about how to handle next weekend's regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers already secured their playoff spot and cannot improve their position — they were locked into the NFC's No. 7 seed as soon as they lost to the Ravens — and coach Matt LaFleur was noncommittal about how he would approach Week 18.

It comes down to a decision between trying to get as healthy as possible heading into the playoffs or trying to find some momentum after three straight losses.

There would be a decision to make about who starts at quarterback only if Love completes all the steps necessary to return from the concussion he suffered the previous week against the Chicago Bears. He could not get through the protocol in time to start against the Ravens.

«We just want to get him through the protocol,» LaFleur said. «And then we'll have a decision to make.»

On a night when Derrick Henry ran all over the Packers' defense to the tune of 216 yards rushing, part of a 307-yard rushing night by the Ravens at Lambeau Field, Willis was one of the few bright spots for the home team.

Before he left with 7:53 remaining and in the middle of a drive, Willis completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and