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Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft remains confident that he will be fully available when the regular season begins, despite continuing his recovery from a torn ACL suffered midway through last year.
Although Kraft expects to open training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, he believes his rehabilitation has progressed well enough to allow him to enter Week 1 without any restrictions.
“I feel like I’ll get all the conditioning I need during camp and be ready for Week 1 with no pitch count,” Kraft said during the Packers’ mandatory minicamp.
The encouraging outlook stems from a recovery process that Kraft believes has exceeded expectations. The young tight end credited the work he put in during the first few months after surgery for accelerating his return timeline.
Recovery Progress Fuels Optimism
Kraft said he has experienced minimal swelling and little discomfort throughout his rehabilitation. As he approaches seven months since surgery, he feels stronger than anticipated and continues to hit important recovery milestones.
One recent benchmark came when Kraft reached 21.5 miles per hour during sprint work, a sign that both his strength and explosiveness are returning.
Rather than focusing solely on speed numbers, Kraft emphasized that his goal remains steady improvement each day. Still, reaching that mark at this stage of recovery reinforced his confidence heading into training camp.
Green Bay traditionally takes a cautious approach with players returning from ACL injuries, often waiting around nine months before allowing them to resume practice activities. Even with that timeline in mind, Kraft expects to have ample time to prepare for the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
Emerging As One of the NFL’s Top Tight Ends
Before suffering the injury in early November, Kraft was putting together a breakout campaign.
Through eight games, he recorded 32 receptions for 489 yards and six touchdowns while averaging more than 15 yards per catch. At the time of his injury, he stood alone among NFL tight ends with at least 30 catches, 475 receiving yards, six touchdowns, and a 15-yard average through the first nine weeks of the season.
Kraft believes his all-around impact separated him from many of his peers.
Whether contributing as a blocker in the run game, creating explosive plays downfield, or producing after the catch, he felt he was performing at an elite level before the injury interrupted his momentum.
The Packers will be counting on that versatility once he returns, particularly after investing heavily in the offense with recent extensions for wide receivers Christian Watson and Jayden Reed.
Long-Term Future in Green Bay Remains a Priority
Beyond his recovery, Kraft also addressed his contract situation. The 2023 third-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie deal, but he made it clear he hopes his future remains tied to Green Bay.
Kraft said his goal is to spend his entire NFL career with the Packers, noting that the organization is all he has known since entering the league.
Extension discussions are expected to continue between his representatives and the Packers’ front office, and a new deal could arrive before the regular season begins.
For now, Kraft’s primary focus remains returning to full health. If his recovery continues on its current trajectory, the Packers could welcome back one of their most important offensive weapons just in time for Week 1.
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