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Packers TE Luke Musgrave suffered lacerated kidney vs Chargers

profilephotocropby:Suzanne Halliburton11/22/23

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luke musgrave packers
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Packers tight end Luke Musgrave lacerated his kidney in Green Bay’s win over the Chargers. Although he played through the pain, he needed to be hospitalized to treat the issue.

NFL Network reported Wednesday that Musgrave is home now. But doctors have ordered him not to travel, which means he’s out for the Packers Thanksgiving game at Detroit.

Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur talked some details of Musgrave’s situation earlier this week.

“He’s got a pretty significant injury. I think it speaks to his toughness,” LaFleur said. “He didn’t say anything all game but then something came up and he called Flea (head athletic trainer Bryan Engel). He’s been in the hospital. It’s been pretty significant. This kid is as tough as they come. …

“He’s a guy that — I think he’s going to be a very dynamic player in time in this league. He continues to get better every time he goes out there, so obviously a significant blow for us offensively, but just like we always talk about, it’s going to be opportunities for these other guys.”

Packers tight end Luke Musgrave caught four passes against the Chargers. And only after the game did he tell team doctors he was in pain. (Tork Mason-USA TODAY NETWORK)

The Packers selected Musgrave, a rookie, in the second round of April’s draft. But despite his inexperience, he’s the second-leading receiver on the team. So quarterback Jordan Love definitely will miss Musgrave in Thursday’s game where they’re a decided underdog to the Lions. Musgrave has caught 33 passes for 341 yards and a touchdown this season.

LaFleur said Musgrave didn’t tell the team’s athletic trainers that he was having any sort of injury issues until after the game. The Packers injury list indicates that Musgrave missed practice, Monday and Tuesday with what is described as an abdominal issue.

It sounds as if Musgrave isn’t ready to come back any time soon. LaFleur told reporters he wasn’t sure if the tight end would need a stay on injured reserve. “We’re kind of working through everything right now,” the coach said.

Running back Aaron Jones also is out for the Lions with a knee injury. To see the Packers injury list, click it here.