Malik Willis DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis (thumb) returned to a full practice session on Thursday after he was limited on Wednesday. Jordan Love (elbow) was also limited on Wednesday and a full-go on Thursday, so both signal-callers should be ready to roll for the wild-card playoff game on Sunday in Philadelphia against the Eagles. Willis is dealing with a right-thumb injury that he apparently picked up on Sunday when he came on in relief of Love in the loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears in the Week 18 regular-season finale. The 25-year-old made two starts earlier this year when Love was sidelined with an injury and has appeared in seven games total, going 40-for-54 for 550 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Willis has been serviceable in limited duty for the Packers but won't carry any fantasy value into the postseason with Love looking good to go.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (thumb) was a limited participant in Wednesday's team practice. Both he and starting quarterback Jordan Love (elbow) picked up injuries in last Sunday's 24-22 loss to the Chicago Bears, and both kicked off the week with a limited session. Despite being listed as limited, the sentiment surrounding the QBs seems optimistic. Willis never exited the team's meeting with the Bears in spite of being shaken up, and head coach Matt LaFleur noted that Love could have reentered the game if necessary. However, fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on the signal callers' practice participation leading up to their road tilt against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round. While Love and Willis are expected to be fine, Sean Clifford would be the next man up if the Packers faced a worst-case scenario.

Even if Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis doesn't start in Week 4 against the undefeated division-rival Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, head coach Matt LaFleur could possibly use Willis in some packages to keep the Vikings on their toes. If Jordan Love (knee) returns for the first time since spraining his left knee in the Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, he won't be 100 percent. The Vikings are preparing to see both Love and Willis on Sunday. Long-time NFL QB Chase Daniel is firmly against the Packers pushing Love to play this week, especially against an ultra-aggressive Vikings D. "You want to know the worst-case situation for the Packers? Love gets destroyed in the pocket and re-aggravates the knee. Play this smart for the long term and play the hot hand. Malik Willis can win this game for you," Daniel said.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis had himself a banner day in Week 3 as he threw for 202 yards and a touchdown through the air in the Packers' 30-14 victory against the Tennessee Titans. Willis also added 73 rushing yards and another touchdown on the ground, showing promise filling in for starting quarterback Jordan Love (knee), who was ruled out this week. Love may return in Week 4 at home against the Minnesota Vikings and that would relegate Willis back to backup quarterbacking duties behind Love. Of course, if Love is back in the lineup for the Packers, Willis can be safely dropped in seasonal fantasy formats.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis is likely to get another start this week as the Packers head to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 3. With Jordan Love (knee) officially questionable on the Packers' injury report, the door is open for Love, but realistically, Willis is a pretty solid favorite to start and play in Week 3. Willis' first start with the Packers against the Colts in Week 2 was carefully managed as he completed 12-of-14 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 41 rushing yards. Head coach Matt LaFleur didn't ask Willis to do too much, but Willis didn't turn the ball over and let the run game do the heavy lifting. The Packers likely mimic the same approach in Week 3 as Green Bay should run the ball with heavy volume and use the pass as a change of pace. Consider Willis a low-end QB2 and a weaker streaming candidate in fantasy this week against Tennessee.