Just when it seemed like the Green Bay Packers had found their groove, they had another lacklustre performance in the first half against the Carolina Panthers. Trailing 7-6 going into the break, the team hadn’t been able to perform well offensively.
After an explosive week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, it seemed like the offense was finally firing on all cylinders. However, the Panthers’ defense stifled them throughout the half. But things took a dramatic turn near the end of the period when they suffered a major injury to Tucker Kraft.
What Happened to Tucker Kraft?
The excellence of the Packers’ offense masked the fact that the team wasn’t receiving excellent production from its wide receiver core. No single player had more than 350 receiving yards on the season entering Week 9.
Instead, it was Kraft, who was leading all pass catchers on the team with 469 yards and six touchdowns, leading to a first-place ranking on PFSN’s TE Impact. Against Carolina, too, he had 20 yards on two catches through the first half.
Tucker Kraft is down after the last play pic.twitter.com/OfAQxV1Htk
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 2, 2025
But as Green Bay tried to rally and take the lead before the break, Kraft suffered a major hit, immediately falling on the ground. As he grabbed at his face, it was clear that the situation was severe.
Eventually, he walked off the field with some help, but the fan base in Titletown has to be anxiously holding its breath. Their worst fears might have come true, though. In his absence, the team dropped a game to the Carolina Panthers.
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But to make matters worse, their star tight end was ruled out for the night. The next update came after the game, courtesy of head coach Matt LaFleur, who might have given the worst possible confirmation.
As Rob Demovsky of ESPN reported on X, “Packers coach Matt LaFleur TE Tucker Kraft’s knee injury ‘does not look good.’ That’s usually code for season-ending. But there are surely more tests to come tomorrow.”
If that turns out to be the case, then the problems for Green Bay could significantly increase. Kraft has been critical to the offense as the de facto number one option for Love to target.
With the trade deadline right around the corner, his status for the season could determine if the Packers end up making another ultra-aggressive move to add some help on the offensive side of the football.