Packers Sign Pro Bowl Tight End As Tucker Kraft’s Injury Status Remains In Question
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Green Bay Packers are signing free-agent tight end Jonnu Smith. Jordan Schultz and Adam Schefter reported the deal on Thursday morning.
“Packers are signing free-agent TE Jonnu Smith to a one-year deal,” Schefter wrote.
Packers are signing free-agent TE Jonnu Smith to a one-year deal, as @Schultz_Report also reported.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2026
Schultz added the résumé.
“One of the NFL’s most respected veterans, Smith has amassed 345 career catches and 30 TDs.”
This is insurance, not a takeover. Tucker Kraft just took contact again. Luke Musgrave still sits on PUP with a neck injury. Roster cuts hit Sunday. The Packers just bought a veteran who already knows September football.
Green Bay Packers Add a Proven Safety Net
Jonnu Smith made the Pro Bowl with Miami in 2024. He caught 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. Pittsburgh then used him in a heavier run scheme. He finished 2025 with 38 catches, 222 yards, and two scores. The Steelers released him in March to clear cap space.
He is 31. He is durable. Desperate rooms still chase that profile this week.
Jordan Love just lost Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks from last year’s target tree. Christian Watson and Jayden Reed got paid. Matthew Golden is next. A veteran tight end who can win on option routes still matters in that offense.
Green Bay Packers Still Need Tucker Kraft Healthy
Kraft tore his right ACL on Nov. 2 against Carolina. He had 32 catches, 489 yards, and six touchdowns in eight games. He averaged 15.3 yards per catch. That pace screamed Pro Bowl.
He is back on the field. Even though he took a late hit in Wednesday’s joint practice with Arizona, Kraft smiled through it.
“I was smiling. That was a good hit,” Kraft said. “I haven’t had a hit like that since November 2. That was an opportunity for me right there to wake up, season’s here.”
He also said he felt free. He wants no snap count.
“You can pull me off the field. I’m gonna try to be out there as much as I can.”
Week 1 is Sept. 13 at Minnesota. Ian Rapoport has him on track. LaFleur already eased him into teamwork. The Packers still will not hand him a blank check of snaps on day one.
Kraft is in the final year of his rookie deal and staying healthy can make a huge difference come negotiations.
Smith will not erase Kraft’s tape. He can keep Love from playing 11 personnel thin if the ACL flare-up hits. That is the entire point of the one-year flier.
The Packers still open against a North rival that just stole a playoff game last January. They need Kraft exploding again. Until that is proven, Jonnu Smith is the adult they just paid to wait.
