There’s no sugarcoating it; Tucker Kraft tearing his ACL is a colossal blow to the Packers‘ offense.
Kraft had been in the midst of a breakout season, playing his way into the conversation among the premier tight ends across the league, and was unquestionably both quarterback Jordan Love’s most explosive and reliable target through the first half of the season.
However, after suffering a season-ending injury in Sunday’s loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Packers are going to need to adapt, and find a way to fill some pretty big shoes on offense.
Packers’ Tucker Kraft was off to dominant start to the season
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass to tight end Luke Musgrave (88) during the fourth quarter of their game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, November 2, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Before getting injured, Kraft had been leading all tight ends in Yards After the Catch per reception, for the second consecutive season and was Green Bay’s leading receiver.
Over at Pro Football Focus, Bradley Locker put together a list of each team’s most surprising player, with Kraft’s dominance stealing the show for Green Bay.
“Kraft was enjoying a breakout campaign prior to a torn ACL in Week 9,” Locker writes of Kraft. “The third-round pick ranked fourth in overall PFF grade (78.1) and second in PFF receiving grade (82.9) among tight ends with 40 or more targets.”
Green Bay now turns to Luke Musgrave, in hopes that the third-year tight end can finally begin to hit his stride, healthily and in the role Kraft had been occupying in Love’s target hierarchy and the passing game.
But, how the Packers are able to replace not just Kraft’s production, but the attention he commanded from opposing defenses which created opportunities for Green Bay’s other weapons will be critical to this team’s ceiling the rest of the season.
Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals with Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (88) during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images