Real, meaningful football is still a ways out, but there were some potentially concerning players unable to fully commit during the Green Bay Packers’ mandatory minicamp. Fourth-year tight end Luke Musgrave spent time with the rehab group, thanks to an undisclosed injury.
This as-of-now unspecified injury leaves the Packers thin at tight end, with Musgrave’s draftmate Tucker Kraft also sidelined. While it was good news for next men up Josh Whyle and Messiah Swinson, Musgrave’s injury is bad news for tight end depth, and for the man himself.
The former second-round pick looked like an emerging pass-catching threat. However, injuries and Kraft’s ascension have derailed his early career. In the final year of his rookie contract, is this latest injury the beginning of the end for Musgrave’s time in Green Bay?
Luke Musgrave had a promising rookie season quickly derailed by a kidney laceration, playing in 11 games and racking up 352 yards (17 first downs) on 34 receptions. He needed to work on his blocking and his ability to stay upright after the catch. Still, there was a lot to build on.
Unfortunately, Musgrave played in even fewer games in 2024 (seven) thanks to an ankle injury that required surgery.
Last season was the first time Musgrave was healthy for all 17 games and even started 10 of them. Still, he didn’t have a breakout year. Originally overshadowed by Kraft, even with their different skillsets, Musgrave should theoretically have seen more play following Kraft’s sojourn on IR. Instead, he quickly fell behind John FitzPatrick, the team’s best all-around tight end after Kraft, and the recently elevated Josh Whyle.
Musgrave may have finished the full season with the next-highest amount of offensive snaps after Kraft, but by season’s end, he was approaching TE3 status. He finished the season with 252 yards on 24 receptions, playing in a tight end rotation that kept the offense moving but without personally taking a leap as a target for Jordan Love.
The clock was already ticking for Musgrave in Green Bay. Wide receivers Christian Watson and Jayden Reed signed significant long-term contracts this offseason, and it’s only a matter of time before Kraft signs one of his own. There won’t be a lot of money to go around after that. Even a modest, team-friendly deal could be out of reach if Musgrave doesn’t improve.
That was true even before Musgrave appeared with the rehab group at minicamp.
The clandestine Packers haven’t yet revealed what ails Musgrave. It might be something minor, and the coaching staff saw no reason to take chances before training camp. But it meant Musgrave didn’t get to work with the first team.
Instead, the Packers are giving Whyle and Swinson opportunities to integrate into the offense and can carry that momentum into camp. And Luke Lachey, a blocking specialist, officially joined the Packers after failing his initial physical.
The room is becoming crowded. Depending on the severity of the injury and how Musgrave responds, there’s every chance he could fail to make the initial 53-man roster.
Sports Illustrated‘s Bill Huber predicts he won’t, but not because the Packers will cut him. Instead, Huber predicts they will trade Musgrave to a TE-needy team before the 2026 season begins.
Musgrave had every opportunity to earn a big role in 2024, when Kraft was sidelined for the offseason practices by a torn pectoral, during the second half of 2025, when Kraft suffered the knee injury, and this offseason, when Kraft was out. He failed to take advantage. Maybe a tight end-hungry team will take a shot in a trade in exchange for a 2027 draft pick or to address a position of need. That, of course, is all dependent on Kraft.
In Musgrave’s favor is his second-round pick status and his potential to still make a leap. Tight end is one of the most difficult positions to transition from the NCAA to the NFL, thanks to its dual responsibilities.
If Musgrave can enter training camp healthy and make the most of Kraft’s initial absence, there’s still a chance he could contribute to the offense and earn a payday for next season, even if it’s not in Green Bay. He’s been an exciting player in flashes, but he needs to do it consistently.
Another field-stretching weapon would be nice for the Packers after paring down their wide receiver room this offseason. Alas, time is running out for Luke Musgrave to fill that role.
