The Green Bay Packers are adding a new tight end from another team’s practice squad ahead of their Week 6 home game against the Arizona Cardinals, as one of their top options, Luke Musgrave, is likely heading to the injured reserve list.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Packers signed tight end John FitzPatrick from the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad to their 53-man roster on Thursday, October 10. The Packers’ official transaction wire has not yet confirmed the move.
FitzPatrick, a sixth-round pick by the Falcons in 2022, missed his rookie season due to injury. However, he returned in 2023 and played in nine games for Atlanta, where he caught one pass for 12 yards and made three total tackles while participating in 83 special teams snaps.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur informed reporters on October 10 that the team will “more than likely” place Musgrave on injured reserve due to the ankle injury that kept him out of Week 5’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. The 2023 second-round pick recorded five receptions for 22 yards across the first five games for the Packers, making two starts.
With Musgrave likely sidelined, FitzPatrick is expected to assume the No. 3 tight end role for the Packers, which will likely involve playing time on special teams, behind breakout starter Tucker Kraft and backup Ben Sims. If the Packers officially place Musgrave on injured reserve before Sunday’s game against the Cardinals, he will not be eligible to return until Week 10.
Packers Also Add Tucker Kraft to Week 6 Injury Report
While the Packers have brought in a new tight end to bolster the position for Week 6’s home game against the Cardinals, they must also address another injury concern.
On October 10, the team added Kraft, their starting tight end for the past three weeks, to their injury report due to a groin issue, limiting him during Thursday’s practice. The Packers will have one more practice on Friday to assess his condition, but there is a possibility that Kraft’s new injury could affect his game-day availability against the Cardinals.
Kraft has emerged as one of the Packers’ breakout stars in the first five games of the 2024 season, catching 16 passes for 218 yards, the second-most on the team, along with a team-high three touchdowns. He scored twice in the Week 5 victory over the Rams, including a notable 66-yard reception.
If Kraft’s injury restricts his performance against the Cardinals, the Packers may need to rely on FitzPatrick more than anticipated. The absence of both Musgrave and Kraft would likely elevate Sims, who joined the team in 2023, to a starting role.
Devonte Wyatt the Lone Other Packer Not Practicing
On a positive note for the Packers, only two players did not participate in Thursday’s practice: Musgrave and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt.
Wyatt has been sidelined since injuring his ankle during Week 4’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings and has missed all practices since then. The 2022 first-round pick has been a standout on the Packers’ defense, recording three sacks and six tackles for loss in the first four games. In his absence, the team has relied on backup Colby Wooden against the Rams.
Additionally, the Packers had several limited participants noted on their injury report: cornerbacks Jaire Alexander (groin) and Carrington Valentine (ankle), defensive tackle Kenny Clark (toe), defensive ends Jonathan Ford (calf, still on IR) and Arron Mosby (shoulder), linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hip), guard/tackle Jordan Morgan (shoulder), and wide receiver Christian Watson (ankle).
