Just in time for the biggest game of the season, the Green Bay Packers activated tight end Luke Musgrave off injured reserve on Saturday.
After missing the last six games following a lacerated kidney, Musgrave will return to action on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
To make room for the additions of Musgrave and running back Emanuel Wilson, the Packers placed safety Rudy Ford on injured reserve and released cornerback David Long. Ford was ruled out on Friday with a hamstring injury.
Kick-started by a stumbling 37-yard catch in Week 1 at Chicago, Musgrave had 33 receptions for 341 yards and one touchdown when he suffered a lacerated kidney in Game 10 vs. the Chargers on Nov. 19. He seemingly had just hit his stride with catches of 25 yards and 20 yards for a touchdown against the Rams and grabs of 36 and 28 yards against Pittsburgh in the games before the injury.
The injury sidelined him for the past six games. He just completed his second week of practice.
Limited participation all three days, he was questionable on the final injury report.
“I think we’re closer to playing than I was a few weeks ago,” Musgrave said this week. “So, I’m excited for the way it’s going.”
So are the Packers, who envisioned big things when they drafted Musgrave in the second round and Tucker Kraft in the third round.
Musgrave was an immediate starter while Kraft had to earn his way into a role after some early struggles. Starting in Week 5, Kraft started getting more snaps, and his playing time soared following Musgrave’s injury. He’s been playing about 90 percent of the snaps the last six weeks, and took advantage of the abundance of opportunities to catch 24 passes.
“I feel like my development has sprung significantly. That’s been great,” Kraft said this week.
“It opens up Pandora’s box because both of us can do anything on the field,” Kraft said. “We can block gap scheme, outside zone. We’ve both been in the screen game, we’ve both been down the seam. We’ve both done all the things they’ve asked of us. Eventually, we’ll start playing decoy for each other, getting each other open.
“It’s just endless. There’s a lot of possibilities. There could be a new thing every week, something you’ve never even seen before.”
Said Musgrave: “it’s awesome. It’s fun watching him play. He’s a hell of a player, so it’s exciting. Really like watching him play his style of football.”
Not that it’s first and foremost on his mind with a trip to the NFL playoffs on the line, but Musgrave needs two catches and 23 yards to break Bubba Franks franchise records for most receptions and receiving yards by a tight end.
It’s a record he would have long since obliterated. But, just in time, Musgrave is back for a win-and-in showdown against the rival Bears.
“Luke, like all these guys, they love football. I mean love football,” position coach John Dunn said recently. “For him, he wouldn’t have it this way but you get to step back – you’re forced to step back – and maybe look at the game a little differently since you’re not actually playing. I do think for him, being able to see it and watch it and study, seeing it through a different lens. He’s a great kid.”
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