During week eight, Tucker Kraft tore his ACL and would miss the remainder of the season. While the major focus was on Micah Parsons injury, it is fair to wonder if Kraft’s was even more significant.
Through eight weeks, Kraft had already put up six touchdowns and 489 receiving yards. His trajectory continued to soar week after week.
After Parsons went down, the Packers went on to lose their last five games of the season. If Kraft had been available, the team would have their safety net on offense.
When in doubt, Kraft became the most reliable pass catcher and the go to target for Jordan Love. There is a chance the Packers could have won at least one of the five consecutive games lost.
Tucker Kraft Recovery Timeline
Matt LaFleur confirmed that Kraft’s recovery is right on schedule. If the rehab continues to go as planned, a week one start is more than likely.
It became clear that the missing piece on offense was the tight end position. Luke Musgrave could not replace the impact and the offense stalled.
Kraft became injured in the Carolina game, a game where the Packers would lose 16-13. The team looked completely disjointed after he went down. This was later confirmed in the next week against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The offense only generated seven points, and the frustration could be felt through the screen. Matt LaFleur looked like he had zero answers on how to get going.
Kraft being ready for week one is season alternating for the team. Romeo Doubs was arguably Love’s go to receiver when Kraft was out. Doubs is heading to the Patriots, making it more vital for the tight end position to be ready.
Another thing to watch for is if the Packers sign Kraft to an extension this offseason. Most likely, it is better to get this done sooner rather than later. The market continues to explode for offensive pieces.
Alec Pierce signed a deal with the Indianapolis Colts for 29 million per year. This means the market for Tucker Kraft and Christian Watson has been set.
Overall, the Packers are clearly a better team with Tucker Kraft and Micah Parsons on the field. However, if at least Kraft is ready to go by week one, the trajectory of the Packers offense will be in much better shape.
