The Green Bay Packers were not only stunned by the Carolina Panthers at home, but their star tight end might be out for the season.
Tucker Kraft suffered a serious knee injury, one that is feared to be a torn ACL, according to ESPN.
Kraft exited midway through the third quarter after colliding with guard Sean Rhyan and clutching his right knee.
He was helped off the field and later carted to the locker room.
Head coach Matt LaFleur conceded afterward, “It doesn’t look good. It’s going to be tough. But it’s football. The other guys are going to have to step up.”
Before departing the field, Kraft had already compiled 32 receptions, 489 receiving yards, and six touchdowns this season.
Just last week, Kraft had seven catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
“Tuck means a lot,” Packers quarterback Jordan Love told reporters. “I think his leadership role and then obviously his play on the field. He’s been playing at a high level. We’ll see what the injury is, but not having him out there for the rest of the game was huge. So, yeah, it’s one of those situations, though. It’s the next man up. We’ve got to find ways to keep playing at a high level without him out there.”
Rookie receiver Matthew Golden also left the game with a shoulder injury in the third quarter.
In the loss, Love completed 26 of 37 passes for 273 yards but threw no touchdowns and one interception.
It was the first time this season Love failed to throw a touchdown pass.
The Panthers’ running back Rico Dowdle produced 141 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns on 27 touches for yet another dominant performance.
The defeat drops Green Bay to 5-2-1 on the season, while the Panthers improved to 5-4.
The win for Carolina further strengthens their hold on second place in the NFC South, trailing the 6-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while the Packers remain in first place in the NFC North, with the 5-3 Lions and Bears lurking.
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