Kraft is expected to open the season as the No. 2 tight end for the Packers, and he's not worth drafting in the majority of leagues. He's also dealing with a pectoral injury that will keep him sidelined until the start of training camp. When healthy, Kraft will have to compete with Luke Musgrave for the starting tight end job in Green Bay, but we expect Musgrave to be first on the depth chart. Kraft did well as a rookie in 2023, but he didn't start to produce until Musgrave suffered a lacerated kidney in Week 12 and missed six games. Kraft showed the ability to play at a high level, scoring at least 10.0 PPR points in four of his final five games in the regular season, but he should struggle for playing time when Musgrave is healthy. At best, you can add Kraft off the waiver wire if he starts off the season playing well.
Packers' Tucker Kraft: Gets majority of TE snaps Week 1
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Kraft caught two of three targets for 37 yards in Green Bay's Week 1 loss to the Eagles.
Per Mike Clay of ESPN.com, Kraft ran 25 routes in the contest, and fellow tight end Luke Musgrave -- who didn't catch either of his two targets -- ran only eight, while Bill Barnwell of ESPN.com reports that Kraft out-snapped Musgrave on offense, 55-15. That is made even more significant by the fact that Kraft had been listed as questionable for the contest due to a back issue. It's probably too early to assume that the discrepancy in snaps will be this wide moving forward, but at least after Week 1, it appears that Kraft has a leg up on the No. 1 tight end role for the Packers.
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: Active in Week 1
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Kraft (back) is listed as active Friday versus the Eagles in Brazil, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.
Kraft made a midweek appearance on the Packers' estimated injury report Wednesday as limited due to a back issue, and he remained that way at Thursday's practice before the team listed him as questionable for Week 1 action. Green Bay signaled that Kraft was going to be available by not elevating a tight end from its practice squad prior to Friday's game, and he indeed will suit up. Kraft likely will play second fiddle to fellow second-year TE Luke Musgrave to kick off the campaign.
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: Looking good for Friday night
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The Packers didn't elevate a tight end from their practice squad before Friday's game against the Eagles, which suggests Kraft (back) is on track to play, Paul Bretl of ESPN La Crosse reports.
Kraft is listed as questionable with a back injury, rather than the pectoral tear that kept him out of the offseason program and the early part of training camp. He was added to the injury report Wednesday after not being listed Tuesday, and it seems this is just a minor injury that's unlikely to prevent him from playing. The workload split at tight end between Kraft and fellow second-year pro Luke Musgrave merits close monitoring, although it's possible Week 1 isn't the best indicator of season-long expectations due to Kraft's missed practice time this summer (and now the minor back injury).
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: Status in question for Friday
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Kraft (back) is listed as questionable for Friday's contest versus the Eagles in Brazil, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.
The Packers included Kraft on their estimated injury report Wednesday due to a back issue, which wasn't evident at Tuesday's practice. He proceeded to go through a limited session to cap Week 1 prep, and his game status now won't be confirmed, one way or another, until 90 minutes before an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. Any reps that Kraft cedes in Friday's game would filter down to fellow second-year TEs Luke Musgrave and Ben Sims.
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: Battling back injury
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The Packers estimated Kraft as a limited participant on Wednesday's practice report due to a back injury.
Kraft wasn't listed on Packers' initial Week 1 injury report released Tuesday, which seemed to be an indication that he has made a full recovery from the torn pectoral muscle he suffered during the offseason. However, he's now nursing a back issue, which at least temporarily clouds his availability for Friday's season opener versus the Eagles in Brazil. If Kraft can upgrade to full participation at Thursday's practice, it would likely put to rest any concerns about his status heading into Friday.
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: On track for Week 1
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Kraft (pectoral) said Tuesday that he expects to be ready for the Packers' Week 1 game against Philadelphia, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.
Kraft suffered a pectoral tear early in the offseason and has been limited to individual drills at training camp since the Packers activated him from the PUP list Monday. The second-year tight end has more than a month to gear up for the season opener, and at this point, his role seems to be more of a question than his availability, as the Packers have fellow 2023 draft pick Luke Musgrave at tight end. Musgrave was the starter for most of last season and had plenty of promising moments, but Kraft had better receiving numbers when he got his chance to start, filling in late in the season while Musgrave recovered from a serious kidney injury. The Packers might even deploy a rotation rather than settling on one player as the clear No. 1 tight end.
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: Passes physical
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Kraft (pectoral) passed his physical Monday and has been removed from the active/PUP list, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Kraft is ready to retake the practice field for the first time in training camp, and potentially even to be available for Saturday's road preseason game against the Browns. The second-year pro suffered a pectoral tear during the offseason, and now that he's healthy, Kraft will get a chance to compete for tight end reps with fellow 2023 draft pick Luke Musgrave, while Ben Sims and Tyler Davis figure to mix in as reserve options. Kraft impressed when tasked with a starting workload last season, so he and Musgrave could both realistically push for significant roles.
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: Could return soon
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Head coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday that Kraft (pectoral) is nearing a return to practice, Paul Brettel of 105.5 ESPN La Crosse reports.
LaFleur said the tight end has been asking every day if he can return to practice, but the Packers are known to be cautious with injuries and aren't likely to make an exception for him. Kraft suffered a pectoral tear during the offseason, after coming on strong late in 2023 when fellow rookie tight end Luke Musgrave missed time with a kidney injury. It's unclear if Musgrave and Kraft will compete for the starting job or work in a timeshare this season, and there's little-to-no chance of both having fantasy value at the same time, given Green Bay's wealth of talent at wide receiver.
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: Out until training camp
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Coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday that Kraft (pectoral) will be sidelined until at least the start of training camp, Zach Kruse of USA Today reports.
LaFleur said Kraft and offensive lineman Zach Tom (pectoral) will both miss the early portion of the team's offseason activities. The nature of Kraft's injury hasn't been disclosed, but he was spotted with his arm in a sling Tuesday. As a rookie, the 2023 third-round pick stepped up nicely in the wake of an injury to Luke Musgrave. Kraft figures to handle a complementary role at tight end when healthy.
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: Scores in playoff loss
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Kraft recorded three receptions on six targets for nine yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 24-21 loss to the 49ers.
It was a perplexing stat line for Kraft, as he tied for the team lead with six targets and also caught a pivotal two-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter. However, he managed an abysmal 1.5 yards per target and his longest gain of the day went for only seven yards. Kraft emerged as a key piece of the Packers' offense in the second half of the season due to Luke Musgrave being sidelined by a kidney injury, and the former recorded multiple receptions in each of his last 10 contests. He and Musgrave will likely continue to split targets in 2024 and beyond, as both tight ends will be entering their second season in the NFL.
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: Catches two passes in win
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Kraft was targeted three times and caught two passes for 15 yards in Sunday's 48-32 victory over the Cowboys.
Kraft and fellow tight end Luke Musgrave both garnered starts Sunday, and although Kraft played 45 snaps to Musgrave's 15, the latter made far more of an impact in the box score with three catches for 52 yards and a score. Expect both players to remain involved when the Packers face the 49ers on Saturday in the divisional round.
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: Remains primary tight end
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Kraft was targeted three times and caught three passes for 31 yards in Sunday's 17-9 victory over the Bears.
Fellow rookie tight end Luke Musgrave returned to action Sunday after missing six games with a lacerated kidney, but Kraft remained Green Bay's starting tight end, and he played 54 snaps to Musgrave's nine. Kraft produced steadily during Musgrave's absence and caught a crucial pass late in Sunday's contest, so although Musgrave opened the season as the starter at his position, it seems likely Kraft will hold onto the job for the upcoming playoff matchup with the Cowboys.
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: Sleeper TEs
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Jayden Reed is back for the Packers after missing Week 16 at Carolina, but Christian Watson (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (chest) are not expected to play in Week 17 at Minnesota. Luke Musgrave (abdomen) is also out against the Vikings, which should help Kraft remain a key weapon for Jordan Love. Kraft has scored at least 10 PPR points in three games in a row prior to Week 17. He also had four catches in each of his past three outings and at least 57 receiving yards in each contest, with one touchdown. I like Kraft as a borderline starter in all leagues against the Vikings.
Kraft is a top-10 tight end this week based on the Packers injuries at wide receiver and the general state of the position. It also helps that he has scored double-digit PPR Fantasy points in four straight games and the Bears have been plus matchup for tight ends. Just watch to make sure Luke Musgrave isn't back.
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: Week 18 Waiver Priority List
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Kraft has scored at least 10 PPR points in four games in a row, and he could be a viable weapon for Jordan Love once again in Week 18 against Chicago with Christian Watson (hamstring), Jayden Reed (chest) and Dontayvion Wicks (chest) all dealing with injuries. Keep an eye on their health, as well as if Luke Musgrave (abdomen) could return, but Kraft has six targets in each of his past three games and at least four catches in four outings in a row. The Bears are also No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends.
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: Effective again
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Kraft recorded six receptions on six targets for 48 yards in Sunday's 33-10 win over the Vikings.
Kraft continued to operate as the Packers' top tight end in the absence of Luke Musgrave (abdomen). He was overshadowed by both Jayden Reed (chest) and Bo Melton in Sunday's win, but Kraft's role in the offense is secure. He has at least six targets in four of his last five games and has a minimum of four catches in four straight contests. His ceiling is limited due to Green Bay's willingness to spread targets, but so long as Musgrave remains out, Kraft is a reliable option.
Kraft is a top-10 tight end this week based on the Packers injuries at wide receiver and the general state of the position. It also helps that he has scored double-digit PPR Fantasy points in three straight games.
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: Another productive appearance
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Kraft was targeted six times and caught four passes for 60 yards in Sunday's 33-30 victory over the Panthers.
It was not a huge afternoon for Kraft, but he did record four receptions and at least 57 yards for the third straight game. His role will change when fellow tight end Luke Musgrave (abdomen) returns, but it's unclear if that will occur in Week 17, as the Packers are being cautious with Musgrave as he works his way back from a lacerated kidney. Either way, Kraft will have his work cut out for him next week, as he and the Packers will square off against a Vikings team that just shut down Sam LaPorta and ceded just one touchdown to opposing tight ends over its last 10 games.
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: Sleeper TEs
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Christian Watson (hamstring) is doubtful and Jayden Reed (toe) didn't practice all week, so both are likely out for Week 16 at Carolina. That should help Kraft continue to be a playmaker for the Packers. It's not an easy matchup since the Panthers are No. 9 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends, but Kraft has 16 targets in his past three games and two touchdowns in his past four outings. In his past two contests against the Giants and Tampa Bay without Watson, Kraft has eight catches for 121 yards and a touchdown, and he's scored at least 10.4 PPR points in each outing. He's worth using as a streaming tight end in Week 16, especially with Watson and Reed likely out against the Panthers.
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Packers' Tucker Kraft: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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We'll see what happens with Christian Watson (hamstring) and Jayden Reed (toe) in Week 16 at Carolina, and if either one is out then Kraft should continue to be a playmaker for the Packers. It's not an easy matchup since the Panthers are No. 9 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends, but Kraft has 16 targets in his past three games and two touchdowns in his past four outings. In his past two contests against the Giants and Tampa Bay without Watson, Kraft has eight catches for 121 yards and a touchdown, and he's scored at least 10.4 PPR points in each outing. He's worth using as a streaming tight end in Week 16, especially if Watson or Reed can't play against the Panthers.
