Green Bay, WI - The Green Bay Packers will face the Detroit Lions without two key tight ends, Luke Musgrave and Josiah Deguara, who have both suffered injuries in Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Musgrave sustained a "significant" abdomen injury, while Deguara is dealing with a hip injury. The absence of Musgrave and Deguara means that the Packers will heavily rely on rookies Tucker Kraft and Ben Sims to fill their roles.

Head coach Matt LaFleur expressed his concern over the offensive blow caused by the injuries during a press conference on Tuesday. LaFleur emphasized the opportunities for Kraft and Sims to showcase their skills and contribute to the team.

Kraft, whose role in the offense has been expanding throughout the season, has seen significant playing time in recent games. In the last three matchups, he played over 28 snaps per game, compared to an average of 9.5 snaps in the first four games. While Kraft has primarily been utilized as a blocker, his explosiveness and yards after the catch ability were on display during the game against the Chargers.

LaFleur commended Kraft's performance and highlighted the growth he has shown both as a blocker and in his ability to make plays in the passing game. With Musgrave absent, Kraft will take on the TE1 role and be expected to contribute to the passing game on intermediate routes and as a boundary option.

Although Kraft and Musgrave possess different strengths in the passing game, with Musgrave excelling as a field-stretcher, Kraft is prepared to take on a broader role. Sims, on the other hand, is expected to contribute as a blocker, similar to Kraft's previous responsibilities.

Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich acknowledged that adjustments to the game plan would be necessary but expressed confidence in Kraft's capabilities. Despite the changes, the Packers aim to maintain their overall plan of attack against a formidable Lions defense known for their ability to stop the run and generate pressure.

In addition to the injury concerns surrounding the tight ends, the Packers could also be without Josiah Deguara, whose status for Thursday's game remains uncertain due to his hip injury. To address potential depth issues at the position, the Packers may consider elevating fullback Henry Pearson from the practice squad or signing him to the 53-man roster.

The Packers find themselves in a crucial matchup against the Lions, a team that dominated them in Week 4. The injuries to key offensive players only heighten the challenge for Green Bay. However, as LaFleur emphasized, this situation provides an opportunity for Kraft to showcase his growth and take on a more prominent role in the Packers' offense.

Stenavich expressed his excitement about seeing Kraft step up and take the reins as the primary tight end, noting his continuous improvement and increased opportunities throughout the season. As the Packers face a determined Lions team, Kraft's performance will be critical to the team's success.

The Packers organization remains upbeat, focusing on the opportunities presented by adversity. Injuries may have temporarily reshaped the team's tight end position, but the Packers' confidence in their rookies, Tucker Kraft and Ben Sims, suggests that they are ready to rise to the challenge.