Tucker Kraft targets Aug. 26 return after ACL tear

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft is aiming to rejoin team work on August 26 as he continues his recovery from a torn ACL suffered on November 2.

Head coach Matt LaFleur said Sunday that Kraft’s target date is the joint practice session with the Arizona Cardinals, as long as the second-year player clears the remaining medical steps required for a full return.

Kraft’s rehab reaches an on-field phase

The rehabilitation plan moved into on-field activity last Friday, when Kraft took part in stationary cycling drills. The team is treating that shift as a notable checkpoint in the process, as it reflects progress from earlier recovery stages.

Officials have indicated the approach is structured to protect Kraft’s readiness for the regular season opener, with the organization managing his workload so that he can be available when games count.

How the Packers plan to ramp up participation

The path back is built around a step-by-step increase in intensity. The sequence described involves moving from non-contact conditioning into full-team participation only after required benchmarks are met.

LaFleur’s update set out a clear condition: August 26 remains the provided Kraft reaches the medical thresholds still in front of him. The team has not described those benchmarks in detail, but has linked the timetable directly to his ability to clear them.

What the three-week window could determine

The Packers expect to use the upcoming three-week stretch as a key period for monitoring how Kraft responds as activity levels rise. If he gets through that window without setbacks, the plan is to place him into the offensive rotation during the joint practices.

The timeline is also tied to roster planning. Kraft’s return would add depth to the tight end group as Green Bay prepares for Week 1, with the club aiming to enter the opener with as complete a rotation as possible.