Packers' Musgrave must assume TE1 duties after Kraft news

Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Packers' Luke Musgrave must assume TE1 duties after disappointing Tucker Kraft news

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Nov 3, 2025 1:50 PM ET

Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave has largely disappointed through his first three seasons with the team. Now, he may have an opportunity to salvage his career.

In the third quarter of the Packers' 16-13 Week 9 loss to the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay TE Tucker Kraft injured his right knee after colliding with guard Sean Rhyan on a run play. On Monday, NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport tweeted the third-year TE tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.

How Tucker Kraft's injury could hinder Packers' passing game

Kraft is the No. 1 option for Green Bay's air attack. Through nine weeks, the former South Dakota State star leads the Packers in receiving yards (489) and touchdown catches (six).

Against Carolina, Packers quarterback Jordan Love looked out of sync without his favorite target. After Kraft exited, the QB threw an interception to safety Tre'von Moehrig and almost tossed another on a failed fourth-down conversion. The 27-year-old passer finished with no TD passes in a game for the first time this season.

It is, in fact, a torn ACL. Kraft is out for the season. https://t.co/x8TLRKFc4T
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 3, 2025

"Yeah, it's going to be tough to replace [Kraft]," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said postgame. "But you've got to attack it head-on, and we've got to do a great job of putting our guys in good positions to showcase what they can do. Luke's played a ton of ball for us, and he's going to get more of an opportunity."

Can Luke Musgrave take advantage of his opportunity?

Musgrave — a 2023 second-round pick — showed promise during his rookie season, logging 34 receptions for 352 yards and one touchdown catch. In Week 11 of that season, however, he suffered a lacerated kidney during a 23-20 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, allowing Kraft to leapfrog him on the depth chart.

The former Oregon State star has since had a reduced role in the passing game. Over his past 15 games, Musgrave has 16 receptions for 133 yards. Despite that, Love believes in the pass-catcher.

"I'm very comfortable with Luke," Love said postgame. "I think Luke's had his fair share of opportunities, for sure. He's played a lot of ball and he made some big-time plays today; had a big-time catch. ... He's just gotta keep maximizing those opportunities."

Against Carolina, Musgrave had just three receptions for a season-high 34 receiving yards. The Packers (5-2-1) need more from him for the rest of the season to manage without Kraft, which would help them remain a Super Bowl contender.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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