Tucker Kraft is putting one of his favorite offseason hobbies on hold as he focuses on returning to full strength for the Green Bay Packers. The talented tight end recently revealed that he is taking a hiatus from pickleball while continuing his recovery from the ACL injury that prematurely ended an otherwise outstanding 2025 campaign.
Kraft has become one of the NFL’s most recognizable pickleball enthusiasts, often incorporating the sport into his offseason workouts. He enjoys the fast-paced competition and believes it helps improve agility, footwork and hand-eye coordination, skills that translate well to football. Confident in his abilities on the court, Kraft even joked that he possesses a powerful serve capable of challenging just about anyone willing to face him.
Despite his confidence, the 24-year-old acknowledged that this offseason requires a different approach. Rather than risk aggravating his surgically repaired knee during a recreational activity, Kraft decided the smarter decision was to step away from pickleball until he is fully healthy. The temporary break reflects his commitment to ensuring that every aspect of his rehabilitation remains focused on preparing for the upcoming NFL season.
The decision comes after Kraft enjoyed a breakout year that significantly elevated his standing within Green Bay’s offense. Selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he developed into one of Jordan Love’s most reliable targets while emerging as a dangerous playmaker after the catch. Before suffering the season-ending injury, Kraft had established himself as one of the Packers’ most productive offensive weapons and an important piece of the team’s long-term plans.
Green Bay Packers’ Tucker Kraft Reveals Reason For Pickleball Hiatus
Tucker explained why he’s taking a break from playing pickleball. This can be seen in a video posted by the team’s official YouTube account.
“Is Tucker Kraft good to pickle ball?” Kraft read the question to himself. “Depends who you ask. Taking a pickle ball hiatus this year to recover from the ACL. I’m not going to risk anything silly. I think I’m good at pickle ball. I got a nasty serve really fast.”
Green Bay enters the 2026 season expecting Kraft to reclaim his prominent role once he completes his recovery. His physical playing style, athleticism and versatility have made him one of the league’s rising young tight ends, and the organization has every reason to prioritize his long-term health over offseason recreational competition. Remaining patient now could help ensure he returns at full strength when games begin to count.
Although Kraft believes he can more than hold his own on a pickleball court, football remains the clear priority this year. By temporarily stepping away from a favorite pastime, the Packers tight end is demonstrating that protecting his health and preparing for another productive NFL season outweigh any desire to showcase his competitive spirit away from the field.
