Packers get the perfect boost ahead of Browns matchup in a key early season test for Green Bay
Green Bay fans can breathe now.
The Green Bay Packers had a big injury scare this week, but everything is fine. After hurting his knee on Thursday and being listed as questionable to play on Friday, star tight end Tucker Kraft received a much more positive update on Saturday.
According to NFL Network’s insider Tom Pelissero, Kraft is well and expected to play against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3, just three days after he had a knee tweak during practice.
“I could tell you, we’ll handle him just like we do with all these guys, we’ll give him up to game time,” head coach Matt LaFleur had said on Friday. “But more than anything, he’s got to feel confident and be cleared at the same time.”
Kraft went through tests, and the results came back clean — there was no structural damage.
Packers TE Tucker Kraft is a rising star
Kraft has been one of the most impactful offensive players in football to start the season.
Through two weeks, the third-year tight end has had eight receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns. He’s had 3.04 yards per route run and a perfect 158.3 passer rating when targeted — both first among tight ends in the NFL. Kraft leads the Packers in receiving yards.
Packers tight end room gets plenty of action
The Packers have used multiple tight ends at a high rate this year. In two weeks, the team had 12 personnel on 42.73% of the offensive snaps, up from 25.32% last year. Green Bay has also used 13 personnel on 6.36% of the plays, up from 0.49% in 2024.
Beyond Kraft, the Packers feel confident in backups Luke Musgrave, a second-round pick in 2023, and John FitzPatrick.
With a healthy Kraft, LaFleur can lean on that usage to compensate for Jayden Reed’s absence. The slot receiver is expected to miss at least six weeks with a broken collarbone.
Kraft is in the last season before he becomes extension eligible. And based on what he has done so far, it’s fair to expect he will be a rich man soon.