Malik Willis to Be Packers’ No. 2 Quarterback in Week 1 Game 1 with Eagles

SÃO PAULO − The Green Bay Packers will use rookie Malik Willis as their backup quarterback on Friday night against the Philadelphia Eagles after fielding just one player — quarterback Ellis Merriweather — against the practice squad.

The Packers would have moved quarterback Sean Cliffford off the practice squad for the game if they weren’t confident Willis could be the backup. Willis was acquired in a trade with the Tennessee Titans last week and has had only a handful of practices with the team.

The elevation of Merriweather comes as a concession to Emanuel Wilson (hip) and MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring), whose injuries are questionable.

Only 90 minutes before the match will information about player inactivity be revealed, as to whether Wilson or Lloyd will play.

Merriweather has enough experience to be able to execute the game plan and play as Josh Jacobs’ backup if needed. He was second in preseason carries behind Wilson with 26 for 99 yards.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Merriweather spent the final nine weeks of the regular season and both postseason games on the Packers’ 2023 practice squad. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 2023.