**GREEN BAY, Wis.** – The Green Bay Packers are placing tight end Luke Musgrave on injured reserve, as confirmed by coach Matt LaFleur after Thursday’s practice.
Musgrave did not practice last week and missed the win over the Rams. Although he had a limited practice on Wednesday, he was unable to participate on Thursday. LaFleur noted that Musgrave has been trying to manage the injury, but the team has opted to shut him down for a while. “He’s going to be down for some time,” LaFleur stated.
Last season, Musgrave played through a lacerated kidney sustained against the Chargers, which highlights his toughness. LaFleur acknowledged, “The fact that he even suited up for the last game was pretty impressive. I don’t think we understood how serious it was.”
Being placed on injured reserve means Musgrave cannot practice or play for at least four weeks, with the first game being against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
His injury led to the Packers signing John FitzPatrick off the Falcons’ practice squad earlier that day. LaFleur mentioned that the team had shown interest in FitzPatrick before the 2022 draft. FitzPatrick is expected to arrive in Green Bay Thursday night to practice on Friday.
This injury adds to a disappointing second season for Musgrave, who had a promising rookie year, tying the franchise record for most receptions by a tight end while missing six games due to his kidney injury. Instead of a breakout Year 2, he has taken a backseat to Tucker Kraft.
In the current season, Musgrave has played 17 snaps against the Eagles, 31 against the Colts, 35 against the Titans, and 25 against the Vikings, compared to at least 40 snaps in nine of ten games last season.
The Packers have been reserved about Musgrave’s reduced playing time, which likely relates more to Kraft’s emergence than any specific issue with Musgrave. Tight ends coach John Dunn remarked, “Each game plan is a little different… so at some point, it might shift back.”
With Musgrave sidelined and receivers Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson out, tight end Ben Sims played 19 snaps against the Rams, compared to just 11 in the first four games. LaFleur praised Sims, saying, “He handled himself as expected. He’s a versatile guy that can give us what we need.”
Against the Cardinals, Kraft is expected to take the majority of the snaps, with Sims next in line. Messiah Swinson, who spent the entire training camp in Green Bay, is on the practice squad and may be elevated for the game.
