The Green Bay Packers are back at full strength coming out of the bye week. All 52 players on the roster practiced on Wednesday, including Jaire Alexander, Evan Williams, and Josh Myers, who missed the most recent game against the Detroit Lions.
While the return of these key starters is a great sign, it wasn’t the only positive news on the injury front. Tight end Tucker Kraft, who had been wearing a red non-contact jersey since Week 4, was back in his regular practice jersey, indicating he is back at full strength.
Kraft initially injured his shoulder in Green Bay’s Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans but was able to finish the game. Since then, he’s worn a red jersey at practice to limit further injury risk. Despite being limited in practice, Kraft has started all nine games this season and has been a key contributor on offense.
Kraft leads the team with five touchdown receptions this season, tied for the second-most among tight ends. His 28 catches for 376 yards also mark a significant leap from last year, when he finished with 31 receptions for 355 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie.
Beyond the stat sheet, Kraft has become one of the Packers’ most physical players. Whether lining up in-line or out in space, his blocking has been instrumental in the team’s third-ranked rushing offense. He has also made the most of his run-after-catch opportunities. According to Pro Football Focus, Kraft ranks second among tight ends in yards after catch this season (266) and is tied for the second most missed tackles forced with nine.
Kraft’s run-after-catch ability was one of his best strengths coming out of South Dakota State and has since translated to the NFL. The grit and toughness Kraft displays on a play-by-play basis have been impressive. He was already having a breakout year, and now, back at full strength, one of the NFL’s top offenses may have just gotten even more dangerous.