The Green Bay Packers have wide receiver Matthew Golden suited up for their Thursday Night Football game against the Carolina Panthers despite injury concerns. Golden's availability is a big boost for the Packers as he has been the team's second-leading receiver behind Christian Watson this season.
However, it was their third receiver, tight end Tucker Kraft, who got the first touchdown of the game after the Panthers opened the scoring with a field goal.
On third down in the first quarter, quarterback Jordan Love threw an absolute laser of a pass that was able to find Kraft despite pressure from two Panthers defenders. A delighted Kraft then went over to the crowd for a Lambeau Leap.
It was Kraft's third touchdown of the season, tying him with Golden for second on the team. Unfortunately, Packers kicker Trey Smack continued his recent struggles as he missed the extra point, keeping the score at 6-3.
The touchdown has some extra significance for Kraft, who is nearing the one-year anniversary of him suffering a torn ACL against the Panthers. The injury was a major blow for Kraft, who was well on pace for a career season last year. In eight games, he already had 32 catches for 489 yards and six touchdowns.
Kraft has not quite hit those levels in his return from injury this season. Heading into the Panthers game, he had 29 catches for 297 yards and two touchdowns in seven games. But with his first-quarter score, he now has three touchdowns on the season.
The Packers are 4-3 on the season and are hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 20-17 loss to the Detroit Lions last time out.