All of a sudden, the Green Bay Packers could be missing a couple of their biggest playmakers on offense. Jayden Reed is already out for a few months after having surgeries on his foot and collarbone this week, and now Tucker Kraft\u2019s status for the immediate future is in question following a knee injury in practice.<\/p>\n
These issues mean that it is time for some other players to step forward and make an impact. In place of Reed, expect Dontayvion Wicks to get more playing time, something that may help the Packers\u2019 run game thanks to Wicks\u2019 blocking abilities. However, Wicks has been excellent catching the ball so far this season, so if he can sustain that performance, any dropoff from Reed could be minimal, with Wicks being arguably less explosive but better at beating man coverage<\/p>\n
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Meanwhile, Luke Musgrave may be in for a bigger role if Kraft has to sit out for a game or two. As the tight end drafted earlier in the 2023 draft, Musgrave came in with higher expectations than Kraft as a rookie, but saw his grip on a starting role slip away. This could be his chance to demonstrate that he too was deserving of a day-two draft pick, should Kraft indeed miss Sunday\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
In either case, the Packers will surely need to rely on some of their role players to win some games this season, much the way they did during their 2010 run to the Super Bowl. Let\u2019s hope those players are up for the challenge.<\/p>\n
Packers TE Tucker Kraft is \u2018OK\u2019 after knee injury scare at Thursday\u2019s practice | Packers Wire Dontayvion Wicks aims to step up in friend Jayden Reed\u2019s absence | Packers.com<\/a> Advertisement<\/p>\n Packers QB Jordan Love Unleashes New Weapon | SI.com<\/a>
<\/a>Although it appears Kraft avoided any major injuries, his status for Sunday in Cleveland is still uncertain.<\/p>\n
With Reed out, Wicks is sure to see his snap count tick up as he takes over as the team\u2019s primary slot receiver. He has had a nice pair of games to start the season, however, and if he can build on that good start he\u2019ll<\/p>\n
Love isn\u2019t usually much of a scrambler, but after the hit that he laid on Trey Amos to help him pick up a big third-down conversion, his coaches are all for him using his legs more often.<\/p>\n