The Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft is one of the most talked-about names in the NFL this year. He was having a phenomenal season, but his momentum came to an abrupt end in Week 9 with an injury. Here’s the latest update on his situation and whether he could return to the field.
What is Tucker Kraft’s Return Timeline?
Green Bay is standing strong in the playoff picture, and a big credit for this goes to Kraft, whose performance helped build momentum earlier this season. He recorded 489 receiving yards and six touchdowns in just eight games before sustaining a knee injury against the Carolina Panthers in the Week 9 matchup.
Following the game, officials confirmed Kraft had torn the ACL in his right knee, putting him on injured reserve. This was a huge blow to the Packers, who lost one of their best offensive weapons.
His performance was so great that despite missing four weeks of action, he is still ranked No. 1 on PFSN’s TE Impact with a 90.8 score.
And because he has already missed four games, which is the requirement for a player to return from injured reserve, he would technically be eligible to return to the Packers’ roster in Week 14. But Kraft’s injury is a severe one that will force him to miss the rest of the season.
Tests confirmed that Packers TE Tucker Kraft did in fact tear his ACL as feared, per source. pic.twitter.com/6lj5rScYg2
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 3, 2025
In his absence, Luke Musgrave has taken over his role but hasn’t been able to match the level Kraft was playing at.
Musgrave has just six catches for 52 yards in the four games he has played so far, leaving disappointed fans missing Kraft even more.
Packers Holding Firm in the Playoff Race
While Kraft is deeply missed, the Packers have still managed to keep their momentum. They are currently second in the NFC North with an 8-3-1 record, and according to PFSN’s NFL Football Playoff Meter, they have an 83.1% chance to make the playoffs.
MORE: Packers Announce Injury Updates on Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, and MarShawn Lloyd for Week 14
The Packers are just one good game behind dethroning the Bears in their division, and they could do it in their upcoming Week 14 matchup. These division rivals meet at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Dec. 7, and later in the month, they’ll meet again less than two weeks apart.
Kraft’s return could have made the team even stronger, but that’s certainly not possible this season, so the team has to push forward without him.
Musgrave hasn’t yet reached Kraft’s level, but he has shown great potential, particularly with his ability to stretch the field, which has impressed both fans and experts. The Packers look strong in their division, but they’ll need to beat the Bears this upcoming Sunday if they want to strengthen their position.