Sources: MRI confirms Packs' Kraft has torn ACL

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Tucker Kraft's breakout season with the Green Bay Packers is over.

Tests on Monday confirmed that the tight end tore the ACL in his right knee during Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Adam Schefter. The Packers feared that would be the case and were bracing to play the rest of this season without their leading receiver.

Kraft was on pace for more than 70 catches and 1,100 yards, which would have been the best marks by a tight end in Packers history.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur said he spoke with Kraft after his tests Monday.

"He's doing as good as you could ever be doing, considering the circumstances," LaFleur said. "Tuck's a guy that, he's not going to flinch. That's why we love him. He's a hell of a player, hell of a teammate, hell of a guy. I'm bummed for him. I'm bummed for us. It's part of it. It's got to be that next-man-up mentality. Unfortunate for him, but now other guys are going to get an opportunity."

Luke Musgrave, who was actually picked one round earlier than Kraft in the 2023 draft, will take over as the No. 1 tight end. Musgrave was a second-round pick (No. 42); Kraft was a third-rounder (No. 78).

"Yeah, absolutely, and he's going to have to be," LaFleur said when asked whether Musgrave is ready for a bigger role. "Both him and [John FitzPatrick]. It's unfortunate because, more than anything, I know how much Tuck puts into this, and he's a big part of our team, a great leader, and it's hard to replace that. But that happens with teams across the league."

Kraft's injury occurred while blocking on a running play, and it appeared Packers guard Sean Rhyan got cut-blocked into Kraft.

"I got f---ing cut on my pull, so I don't know what happened," Rhyan said. "All I know is that motherf---er's helmet was into my knees. He went low on me, so I had to try to avoid my knees getting clipped out, too. So it's one of those things of terrible circumstances, and s--- just didn't come out right for us."

The Packers (5-2-1) also finished Sunday's game without receiver Matthew Golden (shoulder), left guard Aaron Banks (stinger) and defensive tackle Colby Wooden (shoulder).

LaFleur said the injuries to all three are not considered long term.

Cornerback Nate Hobbs, however, will be out for a bit after suffering a left knee injury that is expected to sideline him for 2-3 weeks, a source told ESPN. Previously, Hobbs underwent surgery in August after he suffered a meniscus tear in his right knee during training camp.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette first reported Hobbs' latest knee injury.

The source said Hobbs, who had been having left knee pain since the Week 6 game against Arizona after originally being diagnosed with a cyst, woke up Monday morning and had trouble walking. An MRI showed a grade 1 MCL sprain and a grade 2 tendon sprain. The source said neither would require surgery and that Hobbs was not expected to be placed on injured reserve.

The Packers gave Hobbs a four-year, $48 million contract in free agency this offseason, but took him out of the starting lineup in favor of Carrington Valentine following the game against the Cardinals. He played only four snaps the next week and 19 snaps on Sunday against Carolina.