In a setback for the Green Bay Packers, rookie tight end Luke Musgrave will be sidelined for a minimum of four weeks, including the upcoming Thanksgiving Day clash against the Detroit Lions. The injury, a lacerated kidney, was sustained during the team’s comeback victory over the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday, briefly necessitating Musgrave’s hospitalization.
Musgrave, who remarkably finished the game against the Chargers with four receptions for 28 yards, reported the injury after the match. Despite his significant contribution to the team, the Packers made the decision to place Musgrave on injured reserve ahead of the Thanksgiving game.
Head coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged the severity of Musgrave’s injury and praised the player’s toughness for playing through the pain. Musgrave, the Packers’ second-round pick in the April NFL Draft, had quickly become a key target for quarterback Jordan Love, amassing 33 receptions for 341 yards and one touchdown in his first ten games.
With Musgrave out, the Packers will turn to rookie tight end Tucker Kraft to fill the void. Kraft, a third-round pick from South Dakota State, will make his second career start on Thursday. The Packers are hopeful that Kraft, along with contributions from fellow rookie Ben Sims, can help compensate for the offensive production loss due to Musgrave’s absence.
In Thursday’s game against the Detroit Lions, Love and the Packers aim to avenge their Week 4 prime time loss and play spoiler against the NFC North leaders. As Love continues to audition for the role of the Packers’ long-term franchise quarterback, Lions head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged Love’s composure and praised his poise, anticipating a competitive matchup.