Tucker Kraft injury update: Matt LeFleur gives unfortunate news on Packers TE

On Sunday, Green Bay tight end Tucker Kraft was carted off the field after suffering an apparent knee injury in the third quarter of the Packers’ showdown against the Carolina Panthers. After the game, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Kraft’s injury “does not look good,” per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.

Before leaving the game with an injury, Kraft recorded two catches for 20 total yards. The Packers ultimately fell 16-13 to the Panthers.

Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love missed Kraft’s presence on the field. In the loss, Love completed 26-of-his-37 pass attempts for 273 yards, but failed to record a touchdown and threw one interception.

Kraft appeared to suffer the injury while pulling for a block on a run play. He collided with his own teammate on the play and immediately fell to the ground.

Kraft is the Packers’ leading receiver this season with 30 receptions for 469 yards and six touchdowns. His six receiving touchdowns this season are tied for the third-most in the NFL.

In the Packers’ 35-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, Kraft exploded for a season-high seven catches, 143 yards and two touchdowns. After the game, Jordan Love raved about his go-to target.

“That’s big time. He’s a big-time player, and I think everybody’s seen what he’s capable of when he gets the ball in his hands,” Love said of Kraft. “Making guys miss, running people over, getting those extra yards. Anytime he touches the ball, he’s going to fight for all those yards, and he’s just an explosive playmaker. I’m just glad that everybody’s seeing what he’s all about now.”

Tucker Kraft is in his third season in the NFL. The Packers selected him with the No. 78 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Kraft has never missed a game for the Packers and started in all 17 of the Packers’ games last season.

Kraft isn’t the only Packer who suffered an injury on Sunday. Rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden also was ruled out of the game after suffering a shoulder injury in the third quarter.

With the loss, the Packers fell to 5-2-1 on the season. Green Bay can only hopes Kraft and Golden’s injuries aren’t long-term. However, LaFleur didn’t appear to be optimistic after the game.

Kraft will reportedly undergo more tests Monday. On Nov. 10, the Packers will look to bounce back from their loss as they square off against the Philadelphia Eagles in a Monday Night Football showdown. The game will air live on ABC at 7:15 p.m. CT.