Through two weeks of the season, Packers tight end Tucker Kraft has been the best player at his position in the NFC according to Pro Football Focus, and the second-best tight end in the league among players with 100 snaps. Certainly, the fantasy football set is enamored: Kraft has 140 yards total yards on the year and a touchdown in each game.
So it’s understandable why there was a collective holding of the breath this week when Kraft, coming off a long layoff with Week 2’s Thursday night win, injured his knee during Thursday’s practice. Initial signs were positive for the long-term health of Kraft–the injury was deemed a “tweak”–but because Kraft was out of practice on Friday and listed as questionable, his status for Sunday was iffy.
Tucker Kraft ‘Expected to Play’ in Week 3
Well, according to NFL Network, that’s changed. Per the site’s reporters: “The Green Bay Packers tight end is expected to play in Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns after suffering a knee injury in practice earlier this week, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported.”
Obviously good news for the Packers as they head to Cleveland for a showdown with the Browns, an 0-2 team that comes in with a record of 0-2 and a point differential of minus-22.
Packers Using Tucker Kraft More
One of the noticeable features for the offense thus far this season has been the amping up of Kraft’s usage, something coach Matt LaFleur said during camp would be coming.
“I think he is a complete tight end and he is only scratching the surface of what he’s capable of doing,” LaFleur said. “He has only scratched the surface of what he’s capable of doing. When you look back last year, he’s night and day from where he is now to where he was at that time. The familiarity with the offense, the confidence from going out there and playing at a high level.”
The game on Sunday could be a rough go for Cleveland, which enters as 7.5-point underdogs on its home field. The Packers have two injured linemen they are contending with, though guard Aaron banks said Friday he would be playing on Sunday. Tackle Zach Tom, though, is questionable.
Packers Matching Up With Top Pass Rusher
Packers-Browns will feature one of the best matchups of pass-rushers in the league, with both Cleveland’s Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons on the field. Garrett tried to force a trade out of Cleveland earlier this season, but ultimately signed a record-breaking contract, which Parsons eclipsed after his trade demand out of Dallas landed him in Green Bay.
The two have a bond.
