Tucker Kraft has become a vital piece of the Packers‘ offense, and his absence last season after tearing his ACL, only underscored his value in the passing game and to quarterback Jordan Love.
Before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers, Kraft was well on his way to leading the Packers in receiving, catching 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns.
His return in 2026 could galvanize an offense that slipped down the stretch, before losing to the rival Chicago Bears in the NFC Wild Card round.
Packers optimistic about Tucker Kraft’s return timeline
Monday from the NFL Annual Meeting, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur struck an optimistic tone on Kraft’s recovery, and timeline to get back on the field.
According to LaFleur, Kraft is “right on schedule.”
“He’s been around quite a bit. Watching him train and rehab and go through that process, he’s gonna be a big focal point of our offense,” LaFleur told reporters.
If Kraft can regain the explosive form he displayed prior to his injury, he won’t just be a safety valve for Jordan Love … he’ll be the engine that drives this offense back into deep playoff contention, possibly fueling an even deeper postseason run.
The 2026 season, if Kraft is in fact fully healthy by the time Week 1 rolls around, could be the year the 25-year-old cements his status as one of the premier tight ends in the league.
