Jordan Love, Packers Get Good News on Injury Status of Tight End
The Green Bay Packers received a significant piece of encouraging news this week as they continue preparations for the 2026 NFL season.
Star tight end Tucker Kraft provided an optimistic update on his recovery from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season, telling reporters that he expects to be fully ready when Green Bay opens the season in September.
According to ESPN, Kraft said he feels great and is planning to begin Week 1 without any restrictions.
"They don't really want us talking about our injuries and stuff but, with how I feel, I would say I'm going to get all the conditioning I need in camp to start Week 1 on no pitch count," Kraft said.
The update is welcome news for quarterback Jordan Love and the Packers offense, which lost one of its most productive weapons midway through last season.
Packers TE Tucker Kraft, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in November, says he feels great and is expecting to "start Week 1 on no pitch count." https://t.co/xjQrqwhEqF
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 10, 2026
Tucker Kraft Was Having a Breakout Season Before Injury
Before suffering the knee injury against the Carolina Panthers in November, Kraft was emerging as one of the NFL's most dangerous tight ends.
The former South Dakota State standout was on pace for the best season of his career, producing 469 receiving yards and six touchdowns in just eight games. He averaged 15.6 yards per catch and was becoming one of Love's favorite targets in Green Bay's passing attack.
His biggest performance came on National Tight Ends Day against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when he posted a career-high 143 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The injury abruptly ended what appeared to be a Pro Bowl-caliber campaign.
Packers Could Get Major Offensive Boost
Kraft sounded confident that the extensive work he put into his rehabilitation has accelerated his recovery timeline.
"I feel great. My quad looks great. Swelling is minimal to none," Kraft said while discussing his progress.
The 25-year-old also revealed that he recently reached 21.5 miles per hour during training sessions, an encouraging sign as he works toward returning to full football activities.
For Green Bay, a healthy Kraft could have a major impact on the offense's ceiling in 2026. Since entering the league in 2023, he has developed into one of the team's most complete offensive players, combining receiving production with strong blocking ability.
Jordan Love's Supporting Cast Continues to Improve
The Packers have spent the offseason building around Love, who remains the centerpiece of the franchise's future.
A healthy Kraft would join an offensive core that includes wide receivers Christian Watson and Jayden Reed, along with first-round rookie Matthew Golden. Kraft even expressed hope that he will spend his entire NFL career in Green Bay, suggesting he would welcome a long-term contract extension with the organization.
With training camp approaching, Packers fans still have several weeks before knowing exactly when Kraft will return to full practices. However, based on his latest comments, Green Bay appears increasingly confident that one of its most important offensive weapons will be available when the regular season begins.
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This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 6:32 AM.