Dealing with injuries in the NFL during the regular season is a common occurrence. A player gets injured, next man up, that is the mantra that most NFL teams live by. But it draws attention when it happens in the spring, during rookie mini camps or OTAs. The spotlight shines even brighter when it happens to two prominent members. That is exactly what has happened with the Green Bay Packers. Injuries to tackle Zach Tom and tight end Tucker Kraft might test the Packers’ depth at the start of the 2024 season.
Zach Tom and Tucker Kraft’s Injuries Could Test Green Bay Packers Depth Early
Off-season injuries aren’t just limited to players. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur also was hit by the injury bug. LaFleur suffered a torn pectoral while lifting weights this spring. A coach suffering an injury while lifting weights won’t draw much headlines. But the fact that his injury is the same type of injury that two of his key offensive players suffered, makes people look twice.
During LaFleur’s press conference at this past week’s OTAs, he announced that starting right tackle Zach Tom and tight end Tucker Kraft both suffered torn pectorals already this off-season. It caught many by surprise since it has been speculated that Tom’s injury occurred in April.
While LaFleur said that both injuries won’t be long-term concerns, both injuries could cause Packers fans to worry. There isn’t much doubt that the injuries, especially Kraft’s which happened this month, might force both to miss all of training camp. If either has a setback, it could force them to miss regular season time. If that is the case, it might test the Green Bay Packers roster’s depth.
Musgrave Could See Increase in Playing Time
In the Packers 2023 Week 11 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, tight end Luke Musgrave suffered what would turn out to be a lacerated kidney injury. The injury forced fellow rookie tight end Tucker Kraft into a starting role and a more prominent role in the Green Bay Packers offense.
Kraft, a 2023 third-round draft pick, took advantage of Musgrave’s injury. Not only did Kraft provide solid blocking, but he also showed up in the Packers’ passing attack. He finished the season with 31 receptions for 355 receiving yards and two touchdown catches. Kraft’s ability to block wasn’t a surprise. But his ability as a pass catcher was a delightful surprise for LaFleur and offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich.
His ability to be a pass catcher no doubt had LaFleur and Stenavich envisioning a lot of two-tight end sets with him and Musgrave for this season. While that still could happen, Kraft’s injury could put those plans on the back burner to start the year. The injury could also force someone else into a prominent offensive role. But the options behind Musgrave and Kraft are limited.
Last season’s number three tight end Josiah Deguara departed this offseason. He signed a free-agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. With Deguara now a Jaguar, the Packers might be forced to rely on Ben Sims or Tyler Davis. Sims played sparingly last season and is more known for his blocking. But he is a better option than Davis, who missed all of last season with an injury. Even when healthy, Davis doesn’t bring much to the offense, with questionable hands. The Packers will need Kraft to bounce back quickly and the Packers will need Musgrave to stay healthy. If not, the offense will take a hit.
A Loss of Tom Would be a Major Hit
Zach Tom is on the verge of being a star in the NFL. In his first two seasons with the Packers, Tom has started a total of 22 games. Last season, he started all 17 regular season games. He has found a place at right tackle, although he could also be a dominant player at center or left tackle if given the chance. If his pectoral injury forces him to miss regular season time, it would be a massive hit to the Green Bay Packers offensive line.
It isn’t a coincidence that the Packers signed Andre Dillard in April. It was reported that Tom’s injury occurred in April, around the same time Dillard was signed. While we commend general manager Brian Gutekunst for identifying the need for help, depending on Dillard to provide it is a long shot. Dillard played for the Tennesse Titans last season and he was downright awful. To expect him to improve just because he switched teams seems pretty doubtful.
Tom’s possible absence and Dillard possibly not being up for the task, might force this year’s first-round pick Jordan Morgan into a big role right away. Morgan was a standout while at the University of Arizona. But most of his playing time came on the left side. It might be a tall ask to ask a rookie, even a first-round pick, to be an instant success at a position he doesn’t have much experience playing. Tom isn’t your run-of-the-mill starting right tackle. He is an ascending player. Morgan, or possibly Dillard, will have a tough task filling his cleats.
Packers 2024 Success Hinges on Staying Healthy
Lingering injuries aren’t anything new for the Packers. Last season a lingering hamstring injury forced wide receiver Christian Watson to miss a lot of time. That injury, along with other soft tissue injuries to other Packers players, were a big reason LaFleur fired former strength and conditioning coordinator Chris Gizzi.
LaFleur brought in former San Francisco 49ers assistant Aaron Hill to replace Gizzi this off-season. While injuries happen, the injuries to Tom and Kraft under his watch don’t paint Hill and his new program in a positive light. If similar injuries start to pop up, Hill will find himself under some scrutiny.
Both injuries are a concern. But as former Packers offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga recently pointed out on ESPN Wisconsin’s Wilde and Tausch show, it is very concerning for Tom. Bulaga, a longtime right tackle for the Packers, pointed out that offensive linemen bench press on almost every play. The same motion that is used for bench pressing is the same one that offensive linemen use in pass protection. If Tom’s injury lingers or the muscle is weakened, he will struggle until the injury is fully recovered, which won’t happen until the off-season.
Both Kraft and Tom are key players for starting quarterback Jordan Love. Kraft became a target for Love late in 2023 and Tom is a big reason that Love was only sacked 30 times in 2023. Both would be big losses for the Packers offense if they aren’t ready to go at the start of the regular season. For Packers fans, here is hoping Kraft and Tom can make a smooth quick recovery.
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