Sports

Aaron, Aaron, Aaron.

While Sunday will mark the first time Aaron Rodgers has played his former team, it's also the first time that Jordan Love has played his mentor. Rogers was traded in 2023 to make way for Love to take over as the Packers' starting quarterback.

"It was definitely difficult . . . understanding who you're taking over for," Love said Wednesday, via Mike Spofford of the team website. "The main thing for me was just trying to block all that out and understand that for me, this is a great opportunity, something I've been waiting for, for three years behind him, watching him.

"So I knew in the back of my head I was ready, and [I focused on] how best can I go out there and try to block all that extra noise out and just play my game, and make my own name here."

Rodgers and Love have stayed in touch since Rodgers departed for first, the Jets and then the Steelers. On Wednesday, Rodgers called Love a "great kid" and said he enjoyed his time with him in Green Bay.

He continues to mentor Love from a distance.

"A-Rod texted me and was talking about some of the plays we'd run and some of my footwork, things like that, complimenting me," Love said. "So obviously it's great to be able to hear from him.

"I've got so much respect for him, and anytime he gives me pointers, stuff like that, obviously you want to get feedback from a legend like that."

The Packers, much to Rodgers' chagrin, used a first-round pick on Love in 2020. Rodgers won back-to-back MVP awards in 2020 and 2021, keeping Love on the bench.

Love replaced Rodgers as the Packers' starter in 2023, and now in his third season, he is off to his best start. In six games, he has a 69.3 completion percentage with 10 touchdowns, two interceptions and a 108.1 passer rating.

"A-Rod was obviously at a different level, so it's something I had to build up into," Love said. "But it was cool to be able to watch him do some things, and it just gave me perspective on how to play the position and how to be able to handle a lot of different things."

The Texans have missed several of their key skill position players this season.

Running back Joe Mixon has yet to play and might not this season.

Wide receiver Christian Kirk has played in only three games, and he remained out of practice on Wednesday with a hamstring injury.

In addition, wide receiver Nico Collins missed Wednesday's session with a concussion that he was diagnosed with in the fourth quarter on Monday night.

They were the only two players on the active roster who didn't practice.

Tight ends Dalton Schultz (back/shoulder) and Brenden Bates (wrist) were limited.

Defensive end Denico Autry (knee), defensive end Derek Barnett (ankle) and cornerback Jaylin Smith (hamstring) also were limited.