Matt LaFleur may have bad news for Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers. Tight end Tucker Kraft couldn’t finish the Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, and it doesn’t look like a minor injury.
Speaking to reporters after the painful, 13-16 loss at Lambeau Field, LaFleur said Kraft’s knee injury “does not look good” and added: “It’s going to be tough. Other guys are going to have to step up.”
While tests have yet to confirm the extent of Kraft’s injury, LaFleur’s words suggests that Love and the Packers could be without their star tight end for significant time.
Shortly after LaFleur’s postgame press conference, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that, heading into the MRI, the Packers fear Kraft tore his ACL. Needless to say, not a good way to finish an already disappointing day for Green Bay.
How did Tucker Kraft get injured?
Kraft was carted off the field after a scary collision with Packers guard Sean Rhyan during a 15-yard run by Josh Jacobs with 12:32 left in the third quarter. He was unable to return to the field, finishing the game with just two catches for 20 yards.
Love tried to look for other alternatives after Kraft’s exit, but his absence still left a huge void. Luke Musgrave, who will probably have to step up if Kraft stays on the sidelines, had 34 yards in three receptions against the Panthers.
Kraft has been a key target for Love in Green Bay this year, catching 30 passes for 469 yards with six touchdowns in eight games played in the 2025 NFL season. Unfortunately, his injury may put the Packers’ offense to the test.