The Green Bay Packers made two significant roster moves on Friday, addressing their tight end depth following the injury to rookie **Luke Musgrave**. The team placed Musgrave on injured reserve due to a serious ankle injury, sidelining him for at least four games. Musgrave practiced earlier in the week but was shut down as the Packers realized the severity of his injury. He will be eligible to return after the team’s Week 10 bye.
To fill the gap, the Packers signed tight end **John FitzPatrick** from the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad. FitzPatrick, a former Georgia Bulldog, was drafted by the Falcons and had previously visited Green Bay before the 2022 draft. Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 262 pounds, FitzPatrick has the potential to contribute as a run-blocking tight end. However, Packers head coach **Matt LaFleur** indicated that FitzPatrick may not be ready to play immediately, citing the challenges of joining the team late in the week. LaFleur also noted that Falcons coach **Raheem Morris** was disappointed to lose FitzPatrick, praising his size and skill set.
In addition to FitzPatrick, the Packers have **Ben Sims** and starter **Tucker Kraft** available at tight end. Kraft, who has been a reliable option with 10 catches and three touchdowns over the last two games, has recovered from a mid-week groin injury and is cleared to play on Sunday.
This is the second consecutive season Musgrave has been placed on injured reserve, following a lacerated kidney that caused him to miss six games last year. Injuries have been a recurring issue for Musgrave, as he also missed multiple games during his college career at Oregon State.
While tight end **John FitzPatrick** has the potential to contribute to the Green Bay Packers, his immediate impact may be limited due to several factors:
### 1. **Late Arrival to the Team**
– FitzPatrick was signed from the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad late in the week, which means he has had minimal time to learn the Packers’ playbook and adjust to their system. Packers head coach **Matt LaFleur** even noted that it would be a “tall task” for him to contribute right away, given the timing of his arrival.
### 2. **Role as a Run Blocker**
– FitzPatrick’s primary strength is as an **in-line run blocker**. At 6’7″ and 262 pounds, he has the size and skill set to be an effective blocker in the Packers’ running game. This could be valuable as the Packers may use him in specific blocking situations, especially on running downs or in heavy formations.
### 3. **Limited Offensive Production**
– During his time with the Falcons, FitzPatrick did not make a significant impact in the passing game. He had a modest role as a backup tight end, and there’s no indication that he will immediately become a receiving threat for the Packers, especially with **Tucker Kraft** and **Ben Sims** already in the rotation.
### 4. **Long-Term Potential**
– While FitzPatrick might not contribute significantly in the short term, he has the potential to be a solid depth piece for the Packers over time. If he can get up to speed with the playbook, his blocking ability could earn him more playing time, and there’s always the chance he could develop into a more well-rounded player.
### Conclusion:
FitzPatrick’s contribution in the near future is likely to be minimal, primarily limited to blocking duties. His real value might emerge later in the season as he becomes more familiar with the offense and potentially carves out a role in Green Bay’s run-heavy sets. However, the Packers will likely lean on **Tucker Kraft** and **Ben Sims** for the bulk of tight end duties in the passing game and other key situations.