Tucker Kraft Returns to Packers, Impresses in Practice
Green Bay Packers star tight end Tucker Kraft made a significant return on Sunday, engaging in full 11-on-11 drills. This marked his first competitive team activity since an ACL tear in Week 9 of the 2025 season. Kraft quickly demonstrated his value, catching several passes from quarterback Jordan Love, including a touchdown.
Kraft’s competitive spirit shone during Tuesday’s practice, which saw a physical interaction with a new Packers signing, former All-Pro linebacker Zaire Franklin. During one play, Kraft and Franklin clashed on a flat-route catch. On another, Franklin delivered a late shoulder hit, knocking Kraft to the ground after a middle-field reception. The two have a history dating to the previous summer, when Franklin, then with the Colts, had an altercation with Kraft during a joint practice. Despite that, Franklin has moved past it and praised Kraft after Tuesday’s practice.
He’s a dog. That’s how it’s supposed to be. I feel like with Tuck being out there, I told him, ‘I feel like that’s what the team is missing.’ Like, he brings that same energy, that same competitiveness, that same [expletive] mentality that I feel like I bring on the defense. That’s what Tuck can do for the offense. So it was great to have him out there, great to compete.
Kraft was selected by the Packers in the third round (No. 78 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft from South Dakota State. In three seasons, he has become a top pass-catching tight end, amassing 50 catches on 70 targets for 707 yards and seven touchdowns over 17 games in 2024. He was on track to surpass those figures in 2025 before his injury. Through eight games, he recorded 32 catches on 44 targets for 489 yards and six touchdowns, averaging a league-high 15.3 yards per catch among tight ends. Projected over a full season, he was on pace for over 1,000 yards, 12 touchdowns, and nearly 70 catches, numbers worthy of All-Pro consideration.
Although Kraft has yet to play in a preseason game and might not appear in the remaining two, expectations are high for a Week 1 start against the Minnesota Vikings.