Green Bay’s offense found its rhythm late last season, leaning heavily on its tight ends to steady a young passing attack. That balance vanished in November, when one of its most reliable weapons went down in a flash.
Months later, quiet optimism has started to build inside the building. Coaches have hinted at progress. Teammates have noticed it in workouts. The picture is getting clearer and far more encouraging.
Matt LaFleur Says Tucker Kraft ‘Right on Schedule’ in ACL Recovery
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Oct 20, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) celebrates his touchdown reception during the second quarter of their game against the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin-Imagn Images
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft is trending toward a timely return after tearing his ACL on November 2, 2025, according to updates shared by head coach Matt LaFleur.
“Packers star tight end Tucker Kraft is MIRACULOUSLY running at near full speed only ~5 months after tearing his ACL.Green Bay’s scariest receiver BACK 😈”
Great News: Packers star tight end Tucker Kraft is MIRACULOUSLY running at near full speed only ~5 months after tearing his ACL.
Green Bay's scariest receiver BACK 😈 pic.twitter.com/y5lE5qKcEx
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 7, 2026
LaFleur added that Tucker Kraft is “right on schedule,” a notable development given the typical 9–10 month recovery window for NFL players returning from ACL injuries.
Kraft suffered the injury midway through a breakout campaign that had him pacing toward historic numbers for a Packers tight end. Before going down, he had already emerged as quarterback Jordan Love’s most trusted target. His absence forced Green Bay to reshuffle roles, leaning more on Luke Musgrave and a committee approach.
Kraft finished with 32 catches for 489 yards and six touchdowns in just eight games. Project that across a full season, and he was flirting with franchise-best production at the position. That kind of output doesn’t get replaced easily.
Early signs suggest he may not just return but return ahead of schedule. Reports circulating this week even show Kraft running at near full speed roughly five months into rehab. While that doesn’t guarantee immediate game readiness, it signals that his recovery is tracking on the aggressive end of expectations.
Green Bay’s offense could look very different because of it. The Packers lost key contributors in free agency, including Romeo Doubs and Rasheed Walker. That places even more weight on internal development and continuity. A healthy Kraft changes the equation instantly.
Kraft remains on his rookie deal after being selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. That gives Green Bay elite production potential at a low cap hit, a valuable advantage as roster costs climb elsewhere.
If Kraft returns by training camp, as current projections suggest, he should be fully integrated by Week 1. That would restore a key pillar of Matt LaFleur’s scheme and give Jordan Love his safety valve back over the middle.
For a team that showed flashes of contention, getting Kraft back might be the difference between promise and payoff in 2026.