The Green Bay Packers suffered a tough loss on Sunday afternoon, but there was even more bad news after the game that has the potential to affect them in the long term.
Packers Fear A Torn ACL For TE Tucker Kraft
During the third quarter of the 16-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay tight end Tucker Kraft suffered an apparent leg injury. He was subsequently carted off of the field and listed as questionable to return with a knee injury, but wound up missing the rest of the game. There were fears that the ailment would be a serious one, and head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that the team is equally concerned.
The fear heading into the MRI is that Tucker Kraft tore his ACL, source said. Just brutal. https://t.co/qJMW9WxvWH
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 2, 2025
When asked about the situation, LaFleur said that Kraft’s knee does “not look good”, and that the Packers would have more information on Monday. The fear heading into the MRI is a torn ACL.
If their fears are realized, it will be a tough pill for Green Bay to swallow. Kraft is in his third NFL season after being drafted by the Packers in the 2023 Draft. He had something of a breakout season in 2024 when he racked up 707 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns, but he was on pace to blow those numbers out of the water in 2025.
Through the first seven games of the year, Kraft was easily the Packers’ leading receiver. His yards per game average of 67 put him on pace for 1,140 yards for the season, and he had already scored six touchdowns. He made his mark in a big way in Week 8, when he caught 7 balls for 143 yards and two scores in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Who Will Step Up In Kraft’s Absence?
If Kraft is indeed set to miss extended time, the Packers will need the rest of their receiving core to step up. Luke Musgrave and John Fitzpatrick are the other tight ends currently on the active roster, and they have combined for 11 catches and 78 yards in 2025 coming into Sunday. The team’s leading wide receivers are Romeo Doubs and Matthew Golden, but they did welcome Christian Watson back to the lineup in recent weeks.
With Sunday’s loss, Green Bay is now sitting at 5-2-1 on the year. They entered the day with the best winning percentage in the NFC, but are now behind each of the Eagles, Buccaneers, Rams, and Seahawks. Thanks to the loss by the Lions, they remain atop the standings in the NFC North.
