Pack Could Add TE; Latest On Tucker Kraft

Kraft was on track for a career year in 2025 before he tore his ACL in a Week 9 loss to the Panthers. Fortunately for Green Bay, the 25-year-old has made a fast recovery. Kraft has progressed so well since his July 31 activation from the active/PUP list that he will participate in team drills in a joint practice with the Cardinals on Wednesday, head coach Matt LaFleur said (via Ryan Wood of USA Today).

Signs are pointing to Kraft playing in the Packers’ season opener against the Vikings on Sept. 13, but backup Luke Musgrave looks certain to miss regular-season time. Musgrave, who is dealing with a neck injury, has been on active/PUP for all of camp. He will “likely” shift to reserve/PUP when the Packers put together their roster this Sunday, according to Demovsky. If that occurs, Musgrave will be ineligible for the Packers’ first four games.

The Packers selected Kraft (third round) and Musgrave (second round) in the 2023 draft. Although Musgrave was the higher pick, he has taken a backseat to Kraft. However, a healthy Musgrave would still be the Packers’ best backup tight end option. He played over 40% of offensive snaps and caught 24 passes for 252 yards during a 17-game season in 2025.

With Musgrave down, Demovsky projects Josh Whyle and Drake Dabney to earn roster spots. Whyle, a former Titan, has 42 career catches in 36 games. As an undrafted rookie last year, Dabney got into two games with the Packers and caught one pass.

While Green Bay looks likely to add another tight end, it remains to be seen if the team will extend Kraft. There has been optimism on that front since at least February, but nothing has come together yet.

“We would love to have that done,” Gutekunst said Wednesday (via Wood). “These things are complicated at times. Whether we accomplish that before the beginning of the season, we’ll see. We’re excited for what he’s going to do for us both this year and in the future.”

Gutekunst including “in the future” makes it sound as if he will find a way to keep Kraft past this season. If the Packers are unable to extend Kraft by 2027, and if he continues to produce in a contract year, keeping him off the market via the franchise tag may be an option. The Falcons went that route this past offseason with Kyle Pitts, whom they later signed to a three-year, $54MM extension.