GREEN BAY – Tight end Luke Musgrave is the player naturally getting the most attention as the Packers prepare to play their first game this season without Tucker Kraft.
But the approach within the team is it doesn't fall on a single player to replace one of the offense's best weapons. No individual can be required to do that.
"Everybody has to pull a little bit more and do a little bit more," Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. "I would say it's just not going to go on one position group. We need it from everybody, from the guys up front to our runners, receivers and our quarterbacks. So it'll have to be a collective effort."
There's certainly no woe-is-us mentality amongst the perimeter weapons, or any less faith in the offense's ability without Kraft. He's a big piece to lose. As QB Jordan Love said, Kraft "brings a big part of our offense to life."
But his absence shouldn't leave a perpetual or permanent hole with so many available options to pick up the slack.
"We're always confident," said receiver Christian Watson, who has been back for two games now from his long injury layoff. "I don't think that we're a good team because of one guy. I'd say we're definitely a better team with him but I think that we're still a good team.
"We've just got to go out there and find a way to be better than we were last week. We've got to find a way to be greater, regardless."
In addition to Watson getting back into the swing of things, Dontayvion Wicks returned to practice Thursday from a calf injury, and rookie Matthew Golden could see a boost in his opportunities as well.
Golden, who exited last week's game with a shoulder injury but was back at practice Thursday, has five catches since Watson's return but has gained just 13 yards on them as the downfield chances have been minimal.
"I know that he wants to make some plays so bad," LaFleur said. "I think it's a matter of time, I really do."
Romeo Doubs continues to be his steady self, and then of course there's Musgrave, whose injuries in his first two seasons opened the door in some respects to Kraft's emergence. Now it's possible the reverse could happen.
After Kraft left last week's game with his knee injury, Musgrave caught three passes for 34 yards on the Packers' lone TD drive. He downplayed what the numbers mean as far as how he evaluates his game, which he feels is where it needs to be as his role is set to increase.
"I'm not super into the stat line," Musgrave said. "I think if I were to catch those or not, I would've been happy with how I ran (the routes). I'm focused on how I show up on film, that I'm playing with good energy, good effort, and if I get those three receptions, it's great. If not, and we still score, … that's what (is) important.
"I always prepare like I'm going to play in a full capacity, so my preparation is going to be the same."
Musgrave isn't Kraft as far as the blocking and yards-after-catch skills, but Love referred to Musgrave's open-field speed as "definitely a weapon," and he senses Musgrave's confidence has been on the rise.
Watson has seen it, too, now that Musgrave is healthy after a run of bad injury luck interrupted a strong start to his career in 2023.
"He's going to step up, for sure," Watson said. "I've seen the way he's worked. Obviously, with Tuck stepping into the role and being the player that Tuck is, it put him a little bit on the back burner.
"But I think that we're all confident in what Luke brings to the offense. I'm excited to see him get a little bit of spotlight again."
The operative phrase there is "little bit," because again, the responsibility doesn't rest with one guy, and no one should act like it does.
"Whenever our number's called, we've just got to do what we're asked to do," Watson said. "I don't think anyone is or will have the mindset that they have to do too much. They just have to do what's asked of them."
