Packers’ Tucker Kraft is fired up for the season after brutal practice hit

The future is once again bright for Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft, as he appears to be on track to play in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season after suffering a devastating lower-body injury in the middle of the 2025 campaign.

Kraft tore his ACL during a Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay last season, ending what could have been a historic year for him. No Green Bay tight end has ever recorded at least 1,000 yards in a season, and Kraft had a shot at becoming the first one to do it until he got injured.

Several months later, Kraft is working out and practicing again with the Packers. He was activated off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list last July.

Kraft is even already taking big hits in practice.

“He got me good… I was smiling,” the former South Dakota State football star tight end told reporters about the big hit that rocked him in Wednesday’s practice (h/t Dave Schroeder of WBAY-TV).

“That was a good hit. I haven’t had any contact like that since November 2nd. That was an opportunity for me to wake up. Season’s here!”

Kraft, still waiting for an extension contract offer from the Packers, was taken by Green Bay in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

After recording 355 receiving yards and two touchdowns in his rookie campaign, he took a big step forward with 707 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 17 games in 2024. The 2025 season was supposed to be his best yet in the league, as he racked up 489 receiving yards and six scores in eight games before the injury.

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