GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers tight end Luke Musgrave practiced Wednesday for the first time since undergoing ankle surgery to repair a torn ligament about two months ago.
Musgrave, a 2023 second-round pick from Oregon State, suffered the injury to his left ankle in the Packers’ Week 4 loss to the Vikings when he got twisted and fallen on. Musgrave said the injury happened on one of the game’s first plays, but he played 25 offensive snaps that afternoon.
That’s not a surprise since Musgrave played through a lacerated kidney last season against the Chargers not knowing the extent of the injury in the moment.
After Musgrave’s injury in Week 4, he didn’t practice leading up to Green Bay’s Week 5 game against the Rams but was still active as an emergency option before not playing a snap. Musgrave returned to practice in a limited capacity on the Wednesday before facing the Cardinals in Week 6, logged a DNP on Thursday and was placed on injured reserve that Friday.
“I definitely knew that I hurt it, but we kinda talked about it and suiting up versus the Rams was probably more of like a reserve role and then kinda that week at practice I kinda — we reevaluated and looked like it was maybe a little bit worse,” Musgrave said after practice Wednesday. “We didn’t know that it probably needed surgery until after the Rams week.”
Dr. Robert Anderson, formerly based in Green Bay, performed Musgrave’s surgery in Charlotte. Musgrave continued attending meetings and film sessions while rehabbing at Lambeau Field. In recent weeks, he resumed working on the side at practice and returned to action in a limited capacity Wednesday by focusing on individual drills as the Packers prepare for Sunday night’s game in Seattle.
“Been watching practice and that’s always the hardest part, so it’s good just to put the pads back on and a helmet and get back out there and join the guys again,” Musgrave said. “Still getting back into it, still working into the ankle (he said he’s still getting his cutting ability back), but body feels good. Been in the weight room a lot, so it’s been really good.”
Luke Musgrave practiced today for the first time since his October ankle surgery.
“As soon as possible that they’ll let me go, I’ll go.” pic.twitter.com/02Wf7AVMCc
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) December 11, 2024
Musgrave didn’t offer a specific timetable for his return but said he wants to be back as soon as the team will let him. Musgrave only had five catches for 22 yards with no touchdowns in the first four games this season after catching 34 passes for 352 yards and a touchdown in his rookie season. Musgrave was expected to be a formidable vertical threat for the Packers’ passing game but hasn’t yet developed into one, in part because of long-term injuries suffered in each of his first two seasons.
Instead, 2023 third-rounder Tucker Kraft has developed into one of the league’s best at the position. Kraft, originally thought to be the blocker of the two when Green Bay drafted them, has caught 39 passes for 521 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Among tight ends, Kraft ranks eighth in receiving yards, third in yards per catch, first in yards after catch per reception and tied for second in touchdown catches.
Adding Musgrave to a position where Kraft has emerged as the clear No. 1 could give the Packers yet another weapon in the passing game down the home stretch and into the playoffs.
“It would be big time,” quarterback Jordan Love said of a Kraft-Musgrave combination. “I think the last time we had it was really during training camp, having both those guys out there. And it definitely changes the plays we call and some of the formations we have and personnel groupings. But to have both those guys out on the field, those are two really good tight ends. So I think it definitely changes the way we can call some plays and things like that. It’s been tough not having Luke out there, so to get him back healthy and back out on the field would be big time.”
One of Musgrave’s goals as he ramped up his return was hitting 20 miles per hour on the tracking device players wear. He checked that off last week. He’s reached 22 before, so perhaps that’s coming soon. Next on Musgrave’s checklist, however, is playing in a game.
Head coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday that this was the target date all along for Musgrave’s return to practice.
“You just take it one day at a time and add a little bit more and then a little bit more and we’ll see where we’re at,” LaFleur said. “He’s done a nice job with the rehab and we’ll see where he is as we move forward.”
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Musgrave’s return wasn’t the only significant injury news of the day in Green Bay.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander, who has missed the last three games after reaggravating his torn PCL in Week 11 against the Bears, was a full participant at practice after being limited all last week before not playing against the Lions.
“When I was watching him, he looked like he was moving around well and we’ll just see how it transpires throughout the course of the week,” LaFleur said. “Hopefully he’ll be ready to roll.”
Wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who has missed the last two games with a concussion, is still in the concussion protocol but practiced in full for the first time since the injury. Rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, returned to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday after not practicing since the injury.
Rookie safety Evan Williams suffered a concussion last Thursday against the Lions and remains in the protocol, but he practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday. So did cornerback Corey Ballentine, who has been out since injuring his knee on the opening kickoff against the Dolphins on Thanksgiving.
Rookie nickel Javon Bullard was the only non-participant at practice. He suffered a right ankle injury last Thursday in Detroit and needed a walking boot and crutches to leave the locker room. LaFleur said Monday that he is week-to-week.
(Photo: Perry Knotts / Getty Images)
