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Matthew Golden Must Step Up Following Tucker Kraft Injury

Originally posted on The Lead | By Kevin Ray | Last updated Nov 5, 2025 9:54 PM ET

If the Packers’ home loss to the Carolina Panthers wasn’t bad enough, the team lost tight end Tucker Kraft to a season-ending injury.

The Packers’ offense will be forced to play without their leading receiver. Through nine weeks of this season, Kraft leads the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. The absence of the star tight end creates a vacuum that must be filled if Green Bay expects to find continued success.

Quarterback Jordan Love has targeted Kraft on nearly 20% of his passes this season and more than any of his teammates in the red zone. Green Bay has nine regular-season games remaining and aspirations of a long postseason run. Kraft’s teammates will need to step up and assume those targets.

Packers TE Tucker Kraft suffered torn ACL vs. Panthers. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/Owtxw3wXPc

— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2025

Plenty of Weapons

The Packers’ offense is comprised of several talented receiving options. Green Bay boasts a deep receiver room with several highly drafted options in Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Matthew Golden; but it’s receiver Romeo Doubs that leads the team in targets and receptions. Watson and Reed have both missed substantial time due to injury this season. Golden has been largely underwhelming.

Tight end Luke Musgrave projects to see the largest increase in playing time. Musgrave has served as the primary backup to Kraft in 2025. Despite garnering only 10 targets so far this season, Musgrave is expected to see increased usage, particularly in the red zone.

Golden Opportunity

Kraft has been the Packers’ most effective receiving option this season. Rookie receiver Matthew Golden was drafted in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft to become the team’s first true WR1 in a long time, but he has yet to be utilized at a level that has allowed him to fully demonstrate his talents.

Golden has been targeted just 29 times this season and has yet to find the end zone. Love must provide Golden the opportunity to showcase the skills that led to his early selection.

Golden is the only wide receiver the Packers drafted in the first round since 2002. Expectations are sky high for the rookie, and Kraft’s injury increases the demand for immediate results.

Green Bay can no longer afford to patiently wait for Golden to breakout. The rookie has found himself in a sink or swim situation, and Packers nation is rooting for him.