Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft left Thursday night’s Week 2 matchup against the Washington Commanders after suffering an apparent lower-body injury in the first quarter.
Kraft, who had emerged as a key target in the Packers’ passing attack, was seen gingerly walking off the field but did not return to the field for Green Bay’s second drive.
What Happened to Tucker Kraft?
Kraft left the field after suffering an apparent injury while running a route, causing him to leave the field under his own power.
The third-year tight end had been establishing himself as a reliable option for quarterback Jordan Love, particularly in red zone situations.
Tucker Kraft has left the game after thispic.twitter.com/ld5X0YyCTF
— Pick 6 Pack (@Pick6PackFB) September 12, 2025
Kraft didn’t go into the medical tent and was given his helmet back. While he didn’t return to the field on that drive, he was on the field when the Packers got the ball back for their next possession.
Before the injury, Love found Kraft wide open in the middle of the field for a 57-yard reception. Through the early portion of the game, Kraft had emerged as Love’s favorite target, hauling in two catches on three targets for 72 yards.
Kraft wasn’t the Packers’ first pass catcher to sustain an injury against the Commanders. Wide receiver Jayden Reed suffered a shoulder injury while catching a touchdown pass that was called back. The team ruled out Reed for the remainder of the game, creating pressure on the rest of the receiving core.
Entering his third season, Kraft has emerged as a safety blanket in the passing game for Love. He stepped into the starting role last year, finishing with 50 receptions for 707 yards and a team-high seven receiving touchdowns.
UPDATE: Kraft has returned to the game and set a new career-high for receiving yards. In the Packers’ 27-18 win, the star tight end finished with six receptions for 124 yards, and a touchdown on seven targets.
Kraft’s Injury Fantasy Impact
Kraft appeared poised for a big game following a massive 57-yard reception on the Packers’ second drive. With Reed almost certainly not coming back into this game, Love was likely to lean on his tight end.
Kraft’s injury wasn’t too serious, and he was able to return. If he was not able to, Luke Musgrave would have served as the primary tight end.
Fantasy managers will recall that Musgrave was supposed to be the TE1 of this team and actually was before an injury during his rookie season thrust Kraft into the starting role.
Kraft performed so well that he wound up taking the job. It is unlikely a reverse would ever happen, but it’s possible Musgrave could be on the streaming radar if Kraft ever missed a game. As things currently stand, though, it appears Musgrave is fine.