There are plenty of questions to answer for the Green Bay Packers following their debacle in Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers.
Green Bay shouldn’t have lost that game, given the incredible talent on its roster and the fact that the Packers were playing at Lambeau Field. Although the Panthers had shown life in the previous weeks, Green Bay was still the heavy favorite to win that contest.
Instead, the Packers have now lost two games with a bye through eight games.
Adding bleakness to Green Bay’s outlook is the season-ending knee injury suffered by star tight end Tucker Kraft in the third quarter of the Panthers game.
Without Kraft, Green Bay is now missing a key cog to its offense and a major target for quarterback Jordan Love, especially in the red zone.
Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur’s abilities will be further put to the test, as he has to find ways for his team to navigate through the season without Kraft.
Packers’ LaFleur sounds off on Kraft after TE’s injury
Oct 26, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt Lafleur arrives at the stadium to play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
A day after Kraft suffered the injury, which was later officially declared as a torn ACL, LaFleur provided an update on the player.
“He’s doing as good as you could ever be doing considering the circumstances,” LaFleur said (h/t Mike Spofford of Green Bay’s official website). “So Tuck’s a guy that, he’s not going to flinch, and that’s why we love him. I mean, he’s a hell of a player, hell of a teammate, hell of a guy.
“I’m bummed for him. I’m bummed for us, but it’s just part of it, and it’s got to be that next-man-up mentality.”
Kraft’s absence opens a door for tight end Luke Musgrave to show he’s up to the challenge of handling an expanded role on offense. Green Bay also has two other tight ends on the active roster in John FitzPatrick and Josh Whyle, who had just been signed off the practice squad.
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) is injured against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Carolina defeated Grewen Bay 16-13.
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at@theotherRobin19 and follow us@WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports,click here!