The Green Bay Packers took a major hit Sunday when rising star tight end Tucker Kraft went down with a serious knee injury during their 16–13 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters the injury “doesn’t look good,” according to ESPN.
Kraft’s injury occurred early in the third quarter while blocking on a 15-yard run by Josh Jacobs. The 24-year-old was carted to the locker room moments later, and multiple reports, including NFL Network and ESPN, indicate that the Packers fear a torn ACL. Kraft is expected to undergo an MRI on Monday to confirm the diagnosis.
Before the injury, the 6-foot-5, 259-pound tight end had two catches for 20 yards. He entered Week 9 as Green Bay’s leading receiver with 30 receptions, 469 yards, and six touchdowns—a breakout campaign that made him one of the NFL’s top young tight ends.
“Everybody knows what Tuck means to this team,” linebacker Rashan Gary said after the game. He has been diligently working since OTAs. That’s a guy we need on the field.”
Quarterback Jordan Love, who struggled in the red zone after Kraft’s exit, called it a “giant loss.” The Packers went just 1-of-5 inside the 20, highlighting how much they missed Kraft’s physical presence and sure hands.
Green Bay’s offense stalled after Kraft was carted off, with Love throwing an interception on the following drive. Running back Josh Jacobs eventually tied the game at 13–13 with a 1-yard touchdown run, but the Packers couldn’t close it out.
Colby Wooden, Aaron Banks, and rookie Matthew Golden also left the game with injuries, making the loss a tough blow in multiple ways.
There was a visible shake in the Packers’ locker room. Jacobs called it “a heavy blow,” while teammates said Kraft’s leadership as a team captain made his absence even harder.
On social media, fans rallied behind the young star. “Praying for Tucker Kraft; the Packers can’t catch a break,” one fan posted on X as “#PrayForKraft” began trending in Wisconsin.
Kraft will undergo medical testing Monday to determine the full extent of the knee damage. If confirmed as an ACL tear, his season would likely be over, leaving rookie Luke Musgrave to take on a bigger role in the offense.
The Packers (5–3–1) will look to regroup before next week’s divisional matchup, hoping to bounce back from their most disappointing loss of the season.
