Green Bay Packers star tight end Tucker Kraft rejoined full team drills on Sunday. This is his first return to 11-on-11 workouts since tearing his ACL in Week 9 of the 2025 season. Kraft demonstrated his skills by catching several passes from quarterback Jordan Love, including a touchdown.

Kraft’s competitive spirit was evident in Tuesday’s practice. He engaged physically with Zaire Franklin, a notable offseason addition for the Packers and former All-Pro linebacker. During a flat-route catch, they collided hard in the open field. Later, Franklin hit Kraft after a catch over the middle, knocking him down. Their past confrontations, including a scuffle during a joint practice last summer when Franklin was with the Colts, seem resolved. Now teammates, Franklin praised Kraft, stating, “He’s a dog. That’s how it’s supposed to be,” and acknowledged Kraft’s intense energy and competitiveness as assets to the team.

“He brings that same energy, that same competitiveness, that same mentality that I feel I bring on the defense,” Franklin said. “That’s what Tuck can do for the offense. So it was great to have him out there, great to compete.”

Kraft, drafted by the Packers in the third round (78th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft from South Dakota State, quickly rose as one of the top pass-catching tight ends. In 2024, he recorded 50 catches on 70 targets for 707 yards and seven touchdowns over 17 games. Before his 2025 injury, Kraft was on track to exceed those numbers, with 32 catches on 44 targets for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight games. His average of 15.3 yards per catch was the highest for tight ends in the league. This pace projected him to surpass 1,000 yards, 12 touchdowns, and nearly 70 catches over a full season, potentially earning an All-Pro selection.

Kraft has not yet played in a preseason game, and with only two left, he might not participate in any. Nonetheless, expectations are high for his return by Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings.