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Packers' LaFleur Discusses Video of Josh Myers Vomitting on Ball, Malik Willis Run

Timothy Rapp

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur revealed that Malik Willis chose to tuck the ball and run on a third-down attempt during Sunday's 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts rather than pass it after center Josh Myers vomited on the ball.

"I was like, 'That's the first time I've ever heard that,'" he said of his reaction when Willis told him what happened. "Matter of fact, the official [Shawn Hochuli] came over to me and said, 'You know, we saw your center throwing up on the ball. Do you want us to take him out next time?' I said, 'Absolutely, please do that.' Because, I mean, you're talking about a critical situation. It's third down, and I've never had a throw with vomit on a football, so I don't know. Malik probably didn't appreciate that."

The play, a 3rd-and-10 in the second quarter, was a blip in what was otherwise an efficient performance for Willis in relief duty of starter Jordan Love. The backup quarterback finished 12-of-14 through the air for 122 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions or sacks. He also rushed six times for 41 yards.

"I don't think you guys can appreciate, or even comprehend, the task that Willis... I mean, this guy got here three weeks ago," LaFleur told reporters following the performance. "And for him to be able to go out there and command our offense—we still had a lot of long calls, shifts, motions, a ton of different run schemes, there was a lot put on his plate—and for him to be able to go out there and do what he did today, I think that speaks volumes of who he is as a person and the work he's put in. Super proud of him."

LaFleur deserved high marks for drawing up a smart scheme on the day as well.

With Love out of commission due to a sprained MCL suffered in a Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Packers turned to a run-heavy approach against the Colts, rushing the ball 53 times for 261 yards. Josh Jacobs had a massive afternoon in just his second game with the team, logging 32 carries for 151 yards.

It wasn't always pretty—just ask Willis and Myers—but the Packers found a way to make it work.

   

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