Tucker Kraft: Everything you need to know

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said Wednesday that the team has already "been in contact" with Kraft (ACL) regarding a potential contract extension, Wes Hodkiewicz of the team's official site reports. Kraft said in mid-January that he's ahead of schedule in his recovery from a right ACL tear suffered in early November and that he expects to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 campaign. Across eight-regular season appearances prior to his knee injury, Kraft had emerged as Green Bay's leading receiver with a 32-489-6 line (44 targets), putting him on the trajectory not only for a career-best season, but also a high-end fantasy finish. The 25-year-old tight end currently is entering the final year of his rookie deal, but it appears the Packers may prioritize agreeing to terms on a long-term extension before then. Gutekunst noted that Kraft is "a really important part of this football team" and provides a positive impact "not only as a player but as a leader."

Kraft (ACL) said Monday that he is ahead of schedule in his recovery and hopes to be "bulletproof" by Week 1 of the 2026 campaign, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports. Kraft noted that Green Bay generally requires a nine-month recovery timeframe to rehab from ACL tears, and that by Week 1 he will be 10 months post-surgery. The athletic tight end emerged as a leader in the receiving game to kick off the 2025 campaign, recording an impressive 32-489-6 receiving line across his eight regular-season appearances, though the Packers were without top wideouts Jayden Reed and Christian Watson for the majority of that span. If Kraft is indeed able to kick off the 2026 campaign at full health, he'll project to immediately reprise a key role in what may be an improved aerial attack for the Packers, if all the team's top pass-catchers are available and 2025 first-rounder Matthew Golden is able to take a step forward in his development.

The Packers placed Kraft (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday. Kraft's move to IR was merely a formality after head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Monday that the ascending third-year tight end sustained a season-ending ACL tear in Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Panthers. The Packers are expected to turn to Luke Musgrave to serve as their top pass-catching option at the position, while John FitzPatrick and the newly signed Josh Whyle round out the tight-end room.