The Green Bay Packers have started another phase of organized team activities. Unlike previous years, participation in and attendance of these activities is close to 100% with stars like Jordan Love, Jaire Alexander, and Rashan Gary all being present. These activities are optional at this point, so the fact virtually the entire team is present for them is a testament to their dedication to accomplishing the goals they have for the season.
While it has been refreshing to hear news of Christian Watson and Eric Stokes participating in practice and making plays, there have also been reports of new injuries. Newly signed running back Josh Jacobs, for example, did not participate in team drills due to a sore hamstring. Matt LaFleur said it was not a severe injury, though, and that he will be back on the field soon.
However, while Jacobs has escaped serious injury, other returning players have not. One of these is fan-favorite tight end Tucker Kraft.
Green Bay Packers Tight End Tucker Kraft Showed Up with His Arm in a Sling
When the media was first allowed in to observe practice on Tuesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic posted on X that second-year tight end Tucker Kraft was not present.
At the time, just about everyone figured he would not be there right away because he just got married in South Dakota over the weekend.
However, he was soon spotted at practice by Schneidman and other reporters who shared that his arm was in a sling:
Tucker Kraft not practicing and with his arm in a sling. Must have had one hell of a wedding party.
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) May 21, 2024
It was not until Matt LaFleur’s press conference after practice, however, that the nature of the injury and his timeline for recovery was revealed.
Green Bay Packers Head Coach Says Tucker Kraft is “on the Matt LaFleur Plan”
After practice, LaFleur addressed the media and, of course, there were questions about why Kraft was out. LaFleur did not reveal how Kraft got hurt, but he did say that he tore his pec.
Tucker Kraft will be out until training camp, LaFleur said. If he’s not ready by the start, then shortly into camp. Kraft had his left arm in a sling today.
LaFleur, who recently tore his pec: “He’s on the Matt LaFleur plan.”— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) May 21, 2024
As Schneidman notes above, LaFleur tore his pec earlier this offseason while lifting weights and was seen wearing a sling during the 2024 NFL Draft.
Kraft played extremely well for the Packers down the stretch in 2023, especially after Luke Musgrave went down with a lacerated kidney. The South Dakota State product finished his rookie season with 31 receptions for 355 yards and two touchdowns. 24 of those receptions and 297 of those yards came in the last six games of the season.
