It came in a losing effort, but Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis shined on Saturday night against the Baltimore Ravens before exiting in the fourth quarter with an injury.

In his first start of the 2025 season, Willis completed his first 11 passes and finished 18 of 21 passing for 288 yards and a touchdown, and he rushed for 60 yards and two more scores. Willis got the Packers within three points at 27-24 in the second half and was driving to cut into the Ravens’ 10-point lead in the fourth quarter when he aggravated a right shoulder injury and exited the game.

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Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Willis, who went back to the locker room but eventually returned to the sideline, could have played late had the game still been within reach. Willis injured his throwing shoulder last Saturday in Chicago, and he also missed practice reps this week while battling an illness.

Willis still finished with 348 total yards despite playing only 7.5 drives.

“He was dialed in,” LaFleur said.

Willis averaged 13.7 yards per attempt and hit four different receivers for completions of at least 30 yards. He also scored rushing touchdowns of 22 yards and 11 yards, and his dazzling 12-yard run converted 3rd-and-9 on a scoring drive.

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Highlights from Willis’ performance against the Ravens:

“He made play after play after play out there. He was one of the few brights spots on the night,” LaFleur said.

After Willis exited, backup Clayton Tune threw an interception, and the Ravens eventually extended the lead to 41-24 late. With the game out of reach, Willis stayed out and Tune finished the contest.

Willis has impressed during every opportunity to play for LaFleur and the Packers over the last two seasons. A 2022 third-round pick, Willis will be an unrestricted free agent when his rookie deal expires in March.

“I think it’s a credit to him and the amount of work he’s put in and the type of player he is. He’s shown everybody who he is and what he can be,” LaFleur said. “So I thought he did a lot of great things tonight.”

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers QB Malik Willis shines vs. Ravens before exiting with injury