The Green Bay Packers were handed unexpected trouble in a 16-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers. The team lost one of its crucial offensive pieces, tight end Tucker Kraft, due to an injury that is feared to be a torn ACL. That not only shakes up the offense but could also force Green Bay to rethink its approach ahead of the trade deadline.

Before the injury, the team may have considered trading away one of its tight ends, likely Luke Musgrave. But now, the team might have to acquire one. And tight end David Njoku has made the headlines.

“MAYBE the Packers go crazy and try to get Njoku,” analyst Benjamin Solak wrote on X. “But with FitzPatrick and Musgrave your depth situation is okay. I don’t think it’s something to force.”

Njoku isn’t on the same level as Tucker, but he might be one of the best tight ends available on the trade market so far. The 2023 Pro Bowler caught 64 passes for 505 yards and five touchdowns last season. He currently holds a $54 million deal with the Cleveland Browns. But if the Packers don’t make a trade, they will be able to count on tight ends John FitzPatrick and Musgrave.

This comes courtesy of GM Brian Gutekunst’s strategy from the 2023 NFL Draft, where he used a second-round pick on Musgrave and a third-round pick on Kraft. He is known for doubling up at key positions. So, the Packers have the necessary pieces around their QB Jordan Love.

However, the Oregon State product hasn’t quite lived up to expectations yet. Musgrave showed promise as a rookie, catching 34 passes for 352 yards and a touchdown across 11 games. However, injuries in his second season slowed him down, pushing him behind Kraft. Now, with a key opportunity opening up, this could be Musgrave’s chance to step up and prove his worth.

However, this won’t be an easy task. Tucker has become Love’s security blanket. In the win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, he recorded seven catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns. “I think his leadership role and then obviously his play on the field,” Love said of Tucker. “He’s been playing at a high level. We’ll see what the injury is, but not having him out there for the rest of the game was huge.”

Now, the bigger concern for Green Bay is that tight end isn’t the only position needing attention.

The Packers might be eyeing a cornerback before the deadline

Bill Barnwell pointed out that the Packers might need to address their cornerback situation, calling it a liability on the roster. However, making a trade won’t be easy for Green Bay.

“It’s the one clear liability on the roster,” Barnwell wrote. “Nate Hobbs has struggled badly on the outside since joining from the Raiders in free agency, and Keisean Nixon has developed some problematic habits in coverage. He is tied for the league lead with nine penalties this season.”

The team already used much of its resources to pull off the blockbuster deal to acquire defensive end Micah Parsons. So, the franchise may be hesitant to give up more draft picks for another move. If the injury hadn’t occurred, the Packers might have considered using Musgrave as part of a trade package to land a reliable cornerback.

But that option might no longer be on the table. It’s a tricky situation, and the Packers must make the decision quickly before the trade deadline.