Kraft (knee) mum on plans for early part of camp

This news comes shortly after the Packers signed Devonte Wyatt to a three-year, $57 million extension. Kraft, who, like Wyatt, is also in the final year of his rookie deal, is recovering from a torn ACL that ended his 2025 season but is trending toward being ready for Week 1 based on recent reports and has been among the most efficient tight ends in the league. Since earning a full-time role in 2024, Kraft has totaled 82 receptions for 1,196 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging an impressive 14.6 YPR. With training camp drawing near, it wouldn’t be surprising to see this deal get done in the very near future.

Kraft has said that he plans to play in Week 1 with no pitch count after a torn ACL he suffered in Week 9 of last season. Going on the PUP list at the start of camp would not be abnormal or cause for concern, the question would simply be how long he stays on it. Kraft is going to be one of the most fantasy-interesting injuries to track over the course of training camp. Stay tuned.

Kraft did note that he will likely begin training camp on the PUP list. He specifically mentioned that he could use that time to get his conditioning ready ahead of Week 1. Kraft is still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in Week 9 of last year, but all signs point to him being on or ahead of schedule. On a points-per-game basis, he exited 2025 as the TE4. He may not open the year at quite that level, but fantasy managers should bank on him being an every-week starter sooner rather than later.

Kraft tore his ACL in Week 9 of the 2025 season. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said after the draft that he expects Kraft back “early in the season.” Kraft previously told reporters he expects to start training camp on the PUP list, though the Packers could take him off whenever he is ready to practice. Kraft added that he expects to be ready by Week 1. As long as he is practicing in full by the end of camp, that should be an attainable goal. Kraft was on pace for over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. Even if he takes a few weeks to get up to speed, he should be a top-half TE1 early in the season.

“They’re doing great,” Gutekunst said on an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “Tuck’s been in here every day, and he’s obviously a little bit ahead of schedule, just because his injury happened earlier than Micah’s did. But Micah’s such a - he’s a little bit of a freak. So I think some of that has taken over, and he’s doing really well, as well.” He continued, “So, certainly expect both of those guys back early in the season. And they’ll be a big part of what we’re doing moving forward.” Both players are attempting to return from torn ACLs, with Kraft’s injury occurring in November and Parsons’ occurring in December of last season. It certainly sounds like both players could avoid the Physically Unable to Perform list this summer, which would give each player a good chance to make good on their general manager’s words and return early in the 2026 regular season.

“By the time Week 1 rolls around, I’ll be 10 months post-surgery and hopefully bulletproofed by then,” Kraft told reporters. Green Bay’s TE1 had seemed to be becoming their main weapon as the middle of the season came around before his Week 9 ACL tear. The Packers passcatchers will remain a headache for fantasy managers to figure out if Matt LaFleur remains head coach, but at least Kraft will offer a TE1 floor even if the weekly target volume fluctuates.

The worst was confirmed on Monday, as Kraft’s season now comes to an end. The third-year tight end will now land on IR with his injury. Kraft was on pace for the best season of his career, and already had two 100-yard games on his resume through the first nine weeks of the season. Kraft was on a 17-game pace for his first 1,000-yard season and will now set his sights toward another high-end season in 2026. Backup tight end Luke Musgrave is now expected to step up in Kraft’s absence, and has caught just nine passes for 88 yards this season on 10 targets. He won’t replicate the production we saw from Kraft, but Musgrave could prove to be sneaky waiver wire add in fantasy for managers still looking for a dependable option.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur said after the game that Kraft’s knee injury “does not look good.” We fully expect the MRI to confirm a season-ending injury for the young tight end. It’s a devastating blow for the Packers, who had been relying on Kraft as their de facto WR1 this year. Kraft easily led the team with 30 catches for 469 yards and six scores heading into Week 9. Luke Musgrave will take his place in the lineup, though he is unlikely to replace Kraft’s production.

Kraft slammed his knee into the back of a Green Bay linemen on a running play and immediately crumpled to the ground. He stayed on the field for a while before limping off the field with the help of trainers. Kraft rode the cart to the locker room after a brief stay in the medical tent. While the team is listing him as questionable, it would be a surprise to see Kraft back on the field today.

Kraft set career highs in receptions (seven) and yards (143) while tying a career high with two scores, also gaining over 100 yards after the catch on National Tight Ends Day. He made two spectacular catches over defenders, the first of which went for his game-long 59-yard reception on the team’s first possession of the third quarter, kickstarting a ferocious second half performance to overcome a nine-point deficit at the break. Kraft continues to perform in the midst of a true breakout season, something that could continue against the Cover-3-heavy Panthers in Week 9.