Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft was injured early in the third quarter of his team’s 16-13 defeat against the Carolina Panthers in Week 9.
Kraft’s injury occurred when he was coming across the field to make a block ahead of Josh Jacobs run. Packers guard Sean Rhyan was pushed back by a Panthers defender on the play, which caused Kraft to take a shot to the right knee.
Kraft immediately reached for his knee and remained down after the field. The 24-year-old tight end was able to get to his feet after receiving treatment from the Packers’ medical staff, but he required assistance walking off the field.
Kraft spent time receiving additional treatment in the blue medical tent on the sideline but was eventually carted to the locker room.
Kraft had two catches for 20 yards before exiting the game.
Tucker Kraft injury update
After the Week 9 game, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters that Kraft’s knee injury ‘does not look good.’
ESPN reporter Rob Demovsky speculated that LaFleur’s statement could indicate that Kraft’s injury is season-ending. He also wrote that Kraft will get more tests on his knee on Nov. 3.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Packers fear Kraft tore his ACL, which would end his season early.
During the game, the Packers announced that Kraft had been ruled out for the remainder of their Week 9 matchup against the Panthers due to a knee injury he suffered in the third quarter. Initially, the third-year tight end had been deemed ‘questionable’ to return because of the injury.
Who is Tucker Kraft’s backup?
Luke Musgrave is listed as the top backup tight end on Green Bay’s roster. The 25-year-old was actually selected ahead of Kraft in the 2023 NFL Draft but has played second-fiddle to the South Dakota State product during his career.
Musgrave entered Week 9 having recorded six catches for 54 yards during the 2025 NFL season. He had played 133 offensive snaps compared to Kraft’s 407 and third-string tight end John FitzPatrick’s 111.
Packers TE depth chart
The Packers have three tight ends on their 53-man roster. Below is a look at the pecking order within that unit.
Tucker Kraft
Luke Musgrave
John FitzPatrick
Green Bay also has Josh Whyle on its practice squad. He could be called up to the game-day roster if Kraft ends up missing time because of his injury.
(This story will be updated as more information becomes available.)