The Green Bay Packers' trade deadline plans may have just been significantly altered.
The Green Bay Packers suffered a pair of brutal losses. Not only did they fall to the Carolina Panthers in a 16-13 stunner on Sunday, but it also appears that they lost tight end Tucker Kraft for the season with what they fear is a torn ACL.
Kraft is an absolutely pivotal part of the Packers' offense. He has logged 32 catches for 489 yards and six touchdowns on the season, and last year, he hauled in 50 receptions for 707 yards and seven scores, good for an average of 14.1 yards per catch.
The 24-year-old represents a security blanket — not to mention a surprisingly explosive weapon — for quarterback Jordan Love, and Green Bay's aerial attack is not going to be the same without him.
Now, the Packers went from potentially moving a tight end at the trade deadline (Luke Musgrave) to possibly trying to acquire one. Either the latter, or they use Musgrave (who had three grabs for 34 years on Sunday) a whole lot more.
As far as the best potential target? How about Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku?
Njoku is in the final year of his contract and is widely viewed as a trade candidate heading into the deadline, especially considering that the Browns have rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who has actually usurped Njoku as the No. 1 tight end on the roster.
While Njoku isn't quite as good as Kraft, he would still comprise a more reliable option than Musgrave. He made the Pro Bowl back in 2023 after hauling in 81 receptions for 882 yards and six touchdowns, and last year, he caught 64 passes for 505 yards and five scores.
He will probably be the top tight end available between now and Tuesday (assuming the Browns want to trade him), so don't be surprised if the Packers make a play for him.
Otherwise, Green Bay could always turn to Musgrave, who it actually drafted ahead of Kraft back in 2023. Musgrave was a second-round pick while Kraft was selected a round later.
Musgrave definitely showed flashes during his rookie campaign, snaring 34 balls for 352 yards and a touchdown in 11 games. Injuries derailed his sophomore year, but this season, he has barely played as a result of taking a major backseat to Kraft.
But at this point, the Packers might have to utilize him.
Either way, Green Bay's trade deadline plans were just significantly altered.