The Minnesota Vikings will open the 2026 season in a big way and have some big advantages when they host the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons is expected to miss the season opener as he recovers from a torn ACL, and the Vikings will be playing in front of a home crowd that takes it to an extra gear when they see green and gold at U.S. Bank Stadium.
But for those hoping the Packers would also be without star tight end Tucker Kraft, they’re likely to be disappointed.
According to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, Kraft told reporters earlier this week that he expects to play in the Week 1 matchup against the Vikings “without a pitch count” as he recovers from a torn ACL last October.
While he also added that he expects to begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur “left open the door for Kraft to be on the field to start camp,” which likely makes him a lock to play the Vikings in Week 1.
Tucker Kraft’s expected return gives Minnesota Vikings another obstacle for 2026 opener against Green Bay Packers
Kraft didn’t play in either matchup against the Vikings last season as he tore his ACL in a Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, three weeks before the Vikings made their visit to Lambeau Field in Week 12.
Judging by the 23-6 loss, it was a headache they didn’t need as Kraft was on his way to a career season, catching 32 passes, 489 yards, and six touchdowns prior to the injury.
The South Dakota State product also told reporters he thought he was the best tight end in the NFL when he went down, and the numbers backed that up.
Kraft ranks tied for sixth among tight ends with 15 receiving touchdowns and is one of the best yards after catch threats in the NFL with an average of 9.0 YAC per reception since entering the league as a second-round pick during the 2023 draft.
While the Vikings will be relieved not to see Parsons, Kraft’s return could be problematic. The Vikings have Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson as linebackers going into training camp, but things could get dicey if Kraft is matched up with a safety.
With Harrison Smith’s future still up in the air, going up against Josh Metellus, Jay Ward, or rookie Jakobe Thomas would be less than ideal and open things up for the Packers receiving core, who are going against an even weaker cornerback group.
Add in a quarterback competition that the Vikings seem to be willing to take deep into training camp, and there are some hidden elements that make the Week 1 matchup tougher than it seems.
But even with Kraft’s inclusion, Brian Flores and the Vikings defense will have to find a way to stop them if they want an early advantage in the NFC North standings.
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