Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said Wednesday that the team has already "been in contact" with Kraft (ACL) regarding a potential contract extension, Wes Hodkiewicz of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kraft said in mid-January that he's ahead of schedule in his recovery from a right ACL tear suffered in early November and that he expects to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 campaign. Across eight-regular season appearances prior to his knee injury, Kraft had emerged as Green Bay's leading receiver with a 32-489-6 line (44 targets), putting him on the trajectory not only for a career-best season, but also a high-end fantasy finish. The 25-year-old tight end currently is entering the final year of his rookie deal, but it appears the Packers may prioritize agreeing to terms on a long-term extension before then. Gutekunst noted that Kraft is "a really important part of this football team" and provides a positive impact "not only as a player but as a leader."

Kraft (ACL) said Monday that he is ahead of schedule in his recovery and hopes to be "bulletproof" by Week 1 of the 2026 campaign, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kraft noted that Green Bay generally requires a nine-month recovery timeframe to rehab from ACL tears, and that by Week 1 he will be 10 months post-surgery. The athletic tight end emerged as a leader in the receiving game to kick off the 2025 campaign, recording an impressive 32-489-6 receiving line across his eight regular-season appearances, though the Packers were without wideouts Jayden Reed and Christian Watson for the majority of that span. If Kraft is indeed able to begin next season at full health, he'll project to immediately reprise a key role in what may be an improved aerial attack for the Packers, if all the team's top pass catchers are available and 2025 first-rounder Matthew Golden is able to take a step forward in his development.

The Packers placed Kraft (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Kraft's move to IR was merely a formality after head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Monday that the ascending third-year tight end sustained a season-ending ACL tear in Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Panthers. The Packers are expected to turn to Luke Musgrave to serve as their top pass-catching option at the position, while John FitzPatrick and the newly signed Josh Whyle round out the tight-end room.

Kraft is slated to miss the remainder of the season after tests on his right knee confirmed that he suffered an ACL tear during Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Panthers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coming off a career-best performance in the Packers' Week 8 win over the Steelers in which he registered seven catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns on nine targets, Kraft's breakthrough third season has now come to a screeching halt. The Packers haven't revealed whether the tight end sustained any additional ligament damage beyond the ACL tear, but more information should be known once he undergoes surgery in the coming days or weeks. With Kraft bound for injured reserve, the Packers are expected to turn to Luke Musgrave as their top pass-catching option at tight end for the remainder of the season, while blocking specialist John FitzPatrick could also be in line for extra snaps.

Coach Matt LaFleur said after Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Panthers that Kraft's knee injury "does not look good," Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kraft exited in the third quarter after his right knee was rolled up on by a Packers teammate during a 15-yard Josh Jacobs carry. The tight end initially was deemed questionable to return but was ruled out in the fourth quarter. LaFleur also told Demovsky that "it's going to be tough" to replace Kraft, but he specifically touched on fellow TE Luke Musgrave, saying he's "played a ton of football for us." Musgrave and John FitzPatrick are the current healthy TEs on Green Bay's active roster, and if Ian Rapoport of NFL Network's report that the team fears that he suffered a torn ACL proves to be accurate, that duo will be tasked with filling the void for the rest of the campaign.

Kraft (knee) won't return to Sunday's game against the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Kraft injured his right knee when he was rolled up on while blocking during a 15-yard run from Josh Jacobs in the third quarter. Kraft will finish Week 9 action with two catches (on three targets) for 20 yards. The severity of the issue isn't known, but John FitzPatrick and Luke Musgrave figure to take on larger roles if Kraft is forced to miss any time.

Kraft sustained a knee injury during Sunday's game against the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Kraft was rolled up on by a teammate while attempting to block during a Josh Jacobs 15-yard run early in the third quarter. Kraft needed assistance to reach the sideline before the Packers announced the nature of the health concern. He had two catches (on three targets) for 20 yards at the time he exited.

Kraft hauled in seven of nine targets for 143 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Sunday's 35-25 win over the Steelers.

EDGE Analysis

Kraft scored the Packers' first and final touchdowns in a thrilling comeback victory, fittingly resulting in a career night on National Tight End Day. The 24-year-old was already riding a hot streak after scoring in each of his previous two outings, and he managed to surpass the combined production from those two starts with Sunday's statistical explosion. Kraft bumped his season line up to 29-469-6 through seven games, making him a premier fantasy option for next Sunday's tilt against Carolina.

Kraft caught five of 10 targets for 58 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-23 win over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

While the third-year tight end wasn't exactly efficient with his team-high target volume, Kraft did come up big when it counted, hauling in a seven-yard TD from Jordan Love early in the fourth quarter. Kraft has four touchdowns in six games to begin the season, posting a 23-326-4 line on 32 targets, and he figures to be productive again in Week 8 against a Steelers defense that's been vulnerable to TEs this season.

Kraft recorded two catches on two targets for 43 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-18 win over the Bengals.

EDGE Analysis

Kraft had a quiet day, with Romeo Doubs and Matthew Golden dominating looks among the Green Bay pass catchers. He salvaged the low-volume performance with a pair of big plays, the most important of which was a 19-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. Kraft now has three touchdowns on the season while also recording at least three catches in three of his five games.