Packers' Tucker Kraft Reveals Target Return Date From Torn ACL

The Green Bay Packers were hit with two devastating ACL injuries last season.

Tight end Tucker Kraft tore his ACL during the Packers’ 16-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 2. At the time, Kraft was Green Bay’s leading receiver. It was a huge blow, but there was optimism that the Packers could adjust and still contend.

Then, All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons tore his ACL in a loss to the Denver Broncos on Dec. 14, and it was all downhill from there. The Packers didn’t win another game, with their season ending at the hands of the Chicago Bears in the NFC Wild Card.

Last week, Parsons disclosed that he also underwent a procedure to “clean up” his meniscus, and his goal is still to return sometime in October. While that news was somewhat expected, it was still a bummer to hear for Packers fans.

Kraft had a more optimistic update at Packers minicamp on Wednesday.

“Tucker Kraft just said he anticipates playing Week 1 without a pitch count,” The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman relayed. The Packers will open their 2026 season at Minnesota on Sept. 13.

“I’m doing good,” Kraft said. “I’m doing better than expected. I really attribute it to the time and commitment that I put into my rehabilitation early on, the first three months. That really has catapulted me to where I am now. I feel great. My quad looks great. Swelling is minimal to none.”

Before suffering his season-ending ACL tear, Kraft had recorded 489 yards and six touchdowns on 32 receptions, with a career-high 15.3 yards per reception. He was on pace to eclipse all of his previous career bests statistically, and he had broken out as quarterback Jordan Love’s go-to target.

The Packers drafted Kraft out of South Dakota State in the third round in the 2023 NFL Draft, which means Kraft is entering the final year on his rookie contract.

“I wanna play for this organization my entire career,” Kraft said Wednesday, per Schneidman. “I’m spoiled to have been drafted here, and this is all I know. Green and gold is all I know, so we’d like to keep it that way, and my agent and the Packers’ front office, they’re gonna be in those talks in time when it comes. You guys will find out eventually.”

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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 5:53 PM.