Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave cannot catch a break. Coming off the first full season of his career, he begins 2026 training camp on the PUP list with a neck injury, without a clear timeline to return.
It's frustrating for both Musgrave and the Packers, but it also creates opportunities for another tight end to emerge as a member of the rotation. In particular, former undrafted free agent Luke Lachey should consider now his time to shine.
In Musgrave's absence, Lachey will have a chance not only to make his case for a roster spot, but potentially for a larger role in the future.
Luke Musgrave's absence grants Luke Lachey an elevated showcase
Among the candidates on Green Bay's 91-man roster, Lachey should already be favored to claim the fourth tight end spot. The 255th pick in last year's draft, he spent last year on the Houston Texans' practice squad before being waived this offseason. In a five-year college career at Iowa, Lachey's production peaked in 2022 with 28 catches for 398 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
With both receiving skills and the size to handle blocking assignments, he has an edge on someone like RJ Maryland, who profiles more strictly as a pass-catcher.
Moreover, with Musgrave out and Tucker Kraft limited, Lachey and Josh Whyle, the Packers' projected TE3, will take center stage to kick off the summer. Musgrave is still a valuable contributor when healthy, but at this point, given his health history and status as a pending free agent, Green Bay can't help but consider other long-term options. That raises the future upside, via potential promotion, for any tight end competing to crack the current rotation.
Somewhat ironically, Lachey initially failed his Packers physical with a hamstring issue before ultimately being cleared to sign. Now that he's healthy, the absence or limited participation of the room's top two options means that he can cement his status as a member of the 53-man roster under a heavier-than-expected workload.
To truly serve the Packers' purposes as a dual blocking and receiving tight end, Lachey, who is listed at 6-foot-6 and 247 pounds, could stand to add a bit of bulk and refine his technique. His 2025 prospect notes credit him with "adequate build and length," and although his skills need fine-tuning, that should give Green Bay plenty to work with as a third or fourth tight end.
Now that he'll have more of the floor to himself in training camp, Lachey should have every opportunity to prove as much, starting with a depth role this season and perhaps something more beyond.
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