National Sports

Kraft’s return to drills encourages Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft marked the latest step in his return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament by spiking the ball after catching a touchdown pass in 11-on-11 drills Sunday.

Kraft is hopeful that he also will be celebrating a new contract before the start of the season.

“I think we’re a different team when I’m out on the field, and I think that’s obvious,” Kraft said Sunday after participating in 11-on-11 for the first time since tearing his right ACL last November. “I think everyone in this organization, every fan knows that, without sounding arrogant. I think there’s a different feel to the offense when I’m out there.”

Kraft, a 2023 third-round pick from South Dakota State, is set to become a free agent at the end of the upcoming season.

Right now he’s focusing on making sure he’s as close to full strength as possible for the start of the regular season next month.

“I’m just getting back on the horse,” Kraft said. “Now that I’ve gotten back to team reps as I continue to accumulate reps, I hope I can continue to rise my game as well, take myself to new heights rather than just return to pre-injury.”

That’s setting a high standard, considering Kraft has said he believes he was playing as well as any tight end in the league before injuring his knee in a 16-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 2.

Kraft caught 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight games last season. The week before his injury, he caught seven passes for 143 yards and two scores in a 35-25 victory at Pittsburgh.

He still sees room for improvement.

“I just want to diversify my abilities,” Kraft said. “People think I’m (bad) at running routes versus man (coverage). They think I’m just a zone catching tight end -- drop-step, get north after the catch.”

Rather than ignoring criticism of his game, Kraft says he uses it as motivation.

“Of course,” Kraft said. “It’s kind of silly not to. When people say they don’t necessarily get affected by outside noise, to each their own. I would say it lights a fire under me, throws me into more of a competitive mindset.”