The Green Bay Packers enter their Week 3 matchup against the Cleveland Browns with some encouraging injury news. Two of their starters — tight end Tucker Kraft and right tackle Zach Tom — will both be active after being listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report.
Kraft and Tom Cleared to Play
According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, “Tucker Kraft and Zach Tom are both ACTIVE. Both TE Tucker Kraft and RT Zach Tom are active for Sunday’s Packers-Browns game in Cleveland.”
Kraft had been dealing with a knee injury, while Tom was recovering from an oblique issue that forced him to miss Green Bay’s Week 2 win over Washington. Their return provides stability to both the passing attack and protection for quarterback Jordan Love.
Kraft Emerging as a Go-To Option
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The second-year tight end has quickly established himself as a difference-maker in the offense. Coming off his first 100-yard performance against Washington, Kraft has showcased reliability and versatility in Green Bay’s scheme.
Analysts have taken notice of his production. “Kraft leads this team in routes, has moved the chains on 75% of his catches, and has a 33.3% red zone target share through two weeks,” one observer noted. With wide receiver Jayden Reed sidelined due to a collarbone injury, Kraft’s role in the passing game could expand even further.
Jordan Love’s steady play has only magnified Kraft’s value. As one analyst put it: “Jordan Love is playing with as much confidence as he has at any point in his career, and Kraft is his most reliable pass catcher. You can overthink the target distribution all you want, I’m not. Kraft is a top-5 player at the position for the remainder of the season for me, and that means you got elite value in selecting him around pick number 100 this summer.”
Fantasy Football Outlook
For fantasy football managers, Kraft is becoming a must-start option. He is projected to score 8.2 PPR points this week, with an estimated stat line of 3 receptions for 36 yards and 0.3 touchdowns. With his increasing target share and red zone usage, Kraft offers strong upside in a favorable matchup against Cleveland.
Meanwhile, Zach Tom’s return boosts the offensive line, a crucial factor in both protecting Love and creating opportunities in the run game.
Ideal Conditions in Cleveland
Weather will not be a factor in Sunday’s game. The forecast for kickoff is 80 degrees Fahrenheit with 9 mph winds, providing ideal conditions for offensive production.
Bottom Line
With Kraft and Tom both active, the Packers get two key starters back at a critical time. Kraft, in particular, has emerged not only as a reliable weapon for Love but also as one of the most intriguing fantasy football risers of the season. His performance against the Browns could further cement his role as a top-tier tight end moving forward.