Packers star TE Tucker Kraft activated off PUP after ACL recovery

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft is back on the field after being activated off the physically unable to perform list this Friday. This move comes less than nine months after he underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee, a return timeline that remains ahead of initial expectations.

Head coach Matt LaFleur notes the team is taking a cautious approach. Kraft will participate in individual drills and evening walk-through sessions to acclimate to the playbook, but he will not participate in team-based drills for at least the next few weeks. The organization is prioritizing his long-term health as he reaches the nine-month recovery milestone often associated with this type of procedure.

Before his injury last November, Kraft established himself as a key weapon in the Packers offense. Through Week 9 of the previous season, he was the only tight end in the league to record at least 30 receptions, 475 receiving yards, and six touchdowns while averaging 15 yards per catch. His presence provides a significant boost to the group as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.

Kraft enters the final year of his current contract, and discussions regarding a new deal remain in the preliminary stages. Both the player and the team have indicated an interest in securing an extension before the season begins. For now, the focus shifts to his controlled return to practice as the Packers look toward their Week 1 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.