Packers’ Tight End Depth Tested Again After FitzPatrick Injury: Where Does Green Bay Turn Now?
The hits just keep coming for the Green Bay Packers’ tight end room - and not the kind that show up on highlight reels.
After already enduring a season of attrition at the position, the Packers lost yet another tight end in Saturday’s win over the Bears. This time it was John FitzPatrick, who suffered a torn Achilles and is now out for the year. It’s the third significant loss at tight end for Green Bay this season, and with the playoff race heating up, head coach Matt LaFleur and GM Brian Gutekunst are being forced into scramble mode.
Let’s break down where things stand - and what comes next.
A Position in Flux
The Packers have been juggling tight ends like a circus act since October. It started when they waived Ben Sims to make room for Christian Watson on the 53-man roster - a move that cost them when Sims was quickly scooped up by the Vikings.
Then came the devastating blow: Tucker Kraft, the rising star of the group, tore his ACL in Week 9 against the Panthers. And now, FitzPatrick, who had quietly become a key piece in the run game, is done as well.
Heading into Soldier Field last weekend, Green Bay had just two healthy tight ends. They left with only one: rookie Luke Musgrave.
Whyle Time?
That leaves Josh Whyle as the next man up - assuming he clears concussion protocol in time for Saturday’s matchup against the Ravens. Whyle, a third-year pro out of Cincinnati, was promoted from the practice squad after Kraft’s injury and has made a few plays in limited action.
He’s only logged three catches, but one of them went for 21 yards in a solid performance against Chicago earlier in the year. He’s also found the end zone once.
Whyle isn’t a household name, but he’s shown enough to earn the coaching staff’s trust in a backup role. The challenge now?
He’s no longer just the backup. With FitzPatrick out, Whyle is suddenly TE2 - and possibly the only other active tight end on game day if his health holds up.
That’s a big jump for someone who spent the first half of the season on the practice squad. But there’s some reason for optimism: he played 345 snaps with the Titans last year, which gave him experience in a rotational role. If he can get back on the field and into the flow at practice this week, he could help stabilize things behind Musgrave.
The Practice Squad Puzzle
Beyond Musgrave and Whyle, the options get thin - and inexperienced - quickly. The Packers have two tight ends on the practice squad: McCallan Castles and Drake Dabney. Neither has ever played a snap in an NFL game.
Castles, in his second season out of Tennessee, has bounced around a few teams, including the Eagles, Chargers, and Rams, before landing in Green Bay in early November. Dabney, meanwhile, spent the summer and early season on the Titans’ practice squad before joining the Packers the same day as Castles.
Both are developmental players. And while one of them could be elevated for Saturday, asking either to step into a meaningful role in a must-win game is a tall order. Still, that’s where the Packers find themselves - out of proven options and short on time.
Could a Veteran Be the Answer?
Naturally, the name Marcedes Lewis is going to come up. The 41-year-old is still in the league, currently on the Broncos’ practice squad, and knows LaFleur’s system inside and out after spending four seasons in Green Bay. If there’s a plug-and-play veteran who could step in and help with blocking duties, it’s Lewis.
But there’s a catch - and it’s a big one. The Broncos are sitting as the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
For Lewis, who’s never played in a Super Bowl despite two decades in the league, the chance to be part of a legitimate title run might outweigh a return to Green Bay, even if it means more playing time. Unless Denver releases him or he pushes for a move, it’s hard to see that reunion happening.
Other veteran options? Slim pickings.
C.J. Uzomah is still unsigned, but he hasn’t played all year and wasn’t even in a training camp.
Jordan Akins, currently on the Jaguars’ practice squad, has over 100 games of experience and could be a more realistic target. Still, if Jacksonville isn’t using him, it’s fair to wonder how much he has left in the tank.
Bottom line: there’s no magic fix waiting in free agency.
What the Packers Might Do
The most likely scenario? Green Bay rolls with what they’ve got. That means activating one of Castles or Dabney, hoping Whyle clears protocol, and leaning heavily on Luke Musgrave.
To help offset the loss of FitzPatrick’s blocking, expect to see more six-man offensive line sets - something the Packers have already been doing since Kraft went down. Darian Kinnard has been lining up as a pseudo-tight end in those formations, and with FitzPatrick out, that package could become a staple. Don’t be surprised if they sneak in a play-action pass his way, just to keep defenses honest.
Musgrave’s Moment
All of this puts more on the shoulders of Luke Musgrave. The rookie second-rounder has already stepped up since Kraft’s injury, but now he becomes the clear focal point at the position - as both a receiver and a blocker.
It’s a big ask, but also a big opportunity. Musgrave has flashed the talent that made him a Day 2 pick, and now he’s got the chance to cement himself as a foundational piece of this offense heading into the postseason - and beyond.
The Packers are in survival mode at tight end, but if Musgrave continues to ascend and Whyle proves reliable, they just might be able to hold it together long enough to make a run.