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Packers activate Tucker Kraft off of PUP list

Tucker Kraft has been activated off the PUP list by the Green Bay Packers and is expected to start practicing shortly.

First seen Jul 31, 2026 · 3:30 PM UTC · last updated Jul 31 10:30 PM

Scoring Zone's Take

Tucker Kraft's activation off the PUP list is a clean positive signal heading into your draft prep. The fact that Green Bay is bringing him back for practice — even on a limited basis initially — indicates his recovery is on track and there's no lingering concern about him missing meaningful time. This removes a layer of risk that lingering PUP-list uncertainty tends to create for tight end evaluations this time of year.

For draft purposes, you can now treat Kraft as a full-value asset in the Packers' offense rather than discounting him for injury risk. He's shown flashes as a red-zone and receiving threat in that offense, and confirmation that he's clearing this hurdle without setback should let you comfortably slot him into your tight end rankings at or near where he'd have gone with a clean bill of health. There's nothing in this report suggesting a graduated return will cost him regular-season reps — this reads as a standard, expected step in the PUP process rather than a red flag.

Actionable takeaway: don't downgrade Kraft on your board due to offseason injury noise — this news should stabilize or slightly boost his ADP-relevant value. If you had him rated as a value tight end target before, that stands. Monitor his practice reports as camp progresses to confirm he moves off the limited designation, but for now, treat this as a green light. Confidence is high given both sources agree on the substance of the report, with the only variance being the "limited" practice detail, which is a minor, expected wrinkle rather than a concern.

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See the Green Bay Packers 2026 season preview and predictions.

Tucker Kraft practiced on Friday for the first time since tearing his ACL in a Week 9 game in early November.

It's a massive milestone for the Green Bay Packers tight end, but he understands that there's still a gradual process to adhere to after coming off the physically unable to perform list -- even as the goal remains suiting up for the team's season opener.

“I don’t want anyone to get their expectations too high. I’m not going to be doing anything too crazy here for a while," Kraft said during Friday's locker room availability. "But as long as our GM and our training staff and the coaches, everyone’s on the same page, I’ll just get phased in period by period until you see me out there taking team reps. That’s the goal. We’re on that ramp-up phase right now to get ready for Week 1.”

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Kraft is a noted yards-after-the-catch monster known for his tenacity. He appeared well on the way to a breakout at the time of his injury last season, and it became clear in his absence that he's pivotal to Green Bay's offense firing on all cylinders.

Packers brass therefore knows how important it is for their prospects in 2026 and beyond to bring Kraft back to full speed at the proper pace.

“I’ve accepted it’s all part of the plan," Kraft said. "Gutey (general manager Brian Gutekunst) and I have talked about how he’s essentially protecting me from myself because I’m all gas. Like a tricycle, I don’t come with brakes. So, it’s really just helping me establishing that mindset of consistency through a slow ramp-up.”

Intrigue over Kraft's future practice participation goes beyond his return from injury. The tight end is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and is well deserving of a raise. After Green Bay extended Jayden Reed, Christian Watson and Devonte Wyatt in recent months, Kraft seemingly stands next in line.

Regardless of whether he's inked a new deal by the time he's ready for complete participation, though, Kraft was adamant nothing will stop him from putting it all out there.

“Absolutely not," Kraft said when asked if there was any hesitation in eventually going full speed without an extension. "I understand other people’s worries in that facet. However, I myself, I’m just worried about getting back to who I was pre-injury.”

Pre-injury, Kraft was emerging as one of the league's elite tight ends, having amassed 489 yards and six scores on 32 receptions nearing the midway point of the season.

If the doctor he recently met with is to be believed, Kraft will rediscover that form sooner rather than later.

“He told me my knee looks spectacular," Kraft told reporters. "Almost like he had never seen a rehabilitation like mine. So, the fact that we’re getting those results, the data will speak for itself, and my comeback is ever ascending day by day.”

Coverage from Nfl Dot Com News · by Bobby Kownack · Jul 31, 2026 · read original