In hindsight, Thursday's John FitzPatrick signings makes way more sense.
Only a few hours after Adam Schefter tweeted out the news that the Packers were bringing FitzPatrick in – and hinting at Luke Musgrave's ankle injury – head coach Matt LaFleur announced that the Packers' tight end would be out for a while with an ankle injury. While the Packers still have hope that FitzPatrick can return this season, LaFleur told reporters that they're "more than likely" going to put him on injured reserve, which means he'll be out for, at the very least, the next four games. Three of those games (Cardinals, Texans, and Lions) are in Green Bay.
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Though he was technically on the active roster for the Packers' Week 5 game against the Rams last Sunday, it was moreso for emergency purposes; Musgrave hadn't practiced all week. His last appearance was in Week 4's loss to the Vikings, when he had three receptions for 13 yards.
Matt LaFleur says that Luke Musgrave is going be out for at least four games
Packers coach Matt LaFleur said TE Luke Musgrave’s ankle is going to keep him out a while and will “more than likely” go on injured reserve.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) October 10, 2024
Musgrave was active last Sunday but only for emergency purposes and actually practiced yesterday.
“Speaks to his toughness,” MLF said. pic.twitter.com/ASO8plxTVB
It's the latest in a notable week of injury news for the Packers' skill players this week, after being a bit of a mess last weekend. Christian Watson – who missed Week 5's game with an ankle injury – was back at practice on Wednesday, and was listed as a limited participant. Romeo Doubs, who was suspended last week as well for conduct detrimental to the team, is set to return this weekend as well.
It's obviously a tough blow for Musgrave, who was having a slow start to his second season but was coming off season highs in receptions and yards in the Vikings game. Through four games, he was only playing in 39% of the Packers' offensive snaps, after playing in 66% of them during his rookie season last year. His special teams snaps were also down significantly. For the Packers, Tucker Kraft's emergence over the last three games gives them a bit of a cushion, and FitzPatrick comes to them with nine games of experience with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023.