Echoing what his general manager said earlier on Wednesday, Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft believes he’ll come off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and begin practicing during training camp “very soon,” per Ryan Wood of the PackersNews.com.
Before practice, Brian Gutekunst said he thought Kraft, who is roughly 8.5 months removed from surgery to repair his ACL, will return to the field “sooner rather than later” and that Kraft playing in Week 1 is “very much a possibility.” The Packers opened training camp with a practice on Wednesday morning, and Kraft did not participate but went through rehab work with trainers.
Kraft can be activated off the PUP list at any time. He will go through an acclimation period once he’s cleared to practice and before he’s back doing 11-on-11 to gear up for the regular season.
The Packers open the season against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 13, which is still 46 days away.
Kraft tore his ACL on Nov. 2 of last year. He is quickly approaching the nine-month point from time of injury, putting him right on schedule in terms of returning to practice and gearing up for Week 1. But the Packers are also being protective of Kraft, especially during an on-going contract extension negotiation with a core player.
Kraft was on a Pro Bowl pace last year, catching 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns over the first eight games of the 2025 season. He went down against the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field and did not play again in 2025.
Kraft was one of 11 players placed on an injury list to start training camp. Guard Aaron Banks and defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse came off the PUP list and practiced on Wednesday. Kraft could soon follow.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers TE Tucker Kraft believes he’ll come off PUP list ‘very soon’
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Zach Kruse, Packers Wire | USA TODAY Network
