In a season already plagued by setbacks, the Green Bay Packers received yet another devastating blow following their heartbreaking 22-16 overtime loss to the Chicago Bears on December 20, 2025. The team has confirmed a season-ending injury to tight end John FitzPatrick, adding to the mounting woes at a critical position and raising questions about their depth heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, FitzPatrick suffered a torn Achilles during the Week 16 matchup at Soldier Field. The injury occurred in the early fourth quarter on a non-contact play while he was run-blocking for rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden on a 3-yard outside run. FitzPatrick attempted to get up but collapsed, requiring assistance from the medical staff before being carted off to the locker room.
“Tests today confirmed that Packers TE John FitzPatrick tore his Achilles during Saturday’s 22-16 overtime loss to the Chicago Bears, per sources,” Schefter reported on X during Sunday Night Football on December 21. “The Packers have now lost two TEs, Tucker Kraft and FitzPatrick to season-ending injuries.”
Embed X: https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/2002938743892914649
This news comes on the heels of Tucker Kraft’s season-ending ACL tear in Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers, leaving the Packers’ tight end room in shambles. FitzPatrick had stepped up significantly in Kraft’s absence, playing more offensive snaps than second-round pick Luke Musgrave in four of the last six games before the Bears contest. With FitzPatrick now sidelined, Musgrave stands as the only healthy tight end on the 53-man roster. Josh Whyle, another option, is currently in concussion protocol and missed the game against Chicago.
Head coach Matt LaFleur addressed the situation in his postgame press conference, acknowledging the dire circumstances but expressing confidence in the team’s internal options. “It’s less than ideal,” LaFleur said. “I’m certain that [general manager Brian] Gutey [Gutekunst] and I will have some conversations, probably on the plane, in regards to what we’ve got to do. I feel like we’ve got some guys capable on our P-squad, and so we’ll take a look at that and we’ll come up with a solution.”
The Packers’ practice squad could provide immediate relief. On November 4—the same day Kraft was placed on injured reserve and Whyle was promoted to the active roster—Green Bay signed second-year tight end McCallan Castles and rookie Drake Dabney. Neither has seen regular-season action yet, but based on LaFleur’s comments, one or both could be elevated to the 53-man roster this week when FitzPatrick is officially moved to IR.
While internal promotions seem likely, the Packers might explore external options for added veteran presence. One intriguing possibility is a reunion with former Packer Marcedes Lewis, who is currently on the Denver Broncos’ practice squad. Lewis, a fan favorite during his five seasons in Green Bay (where he played 81 games), could be poached if the Packers sign him to their active roster.
However, NFL rules require that any player signed from another team’s practice squad must remain on the new team’s active roster for at least three weeks or receive equivalent pay if waived. This commitment might give Green Bay pause, especially considering Lewis’s age—he turns 42 in May 2026—and his recent dip in production. Under general manager Brian Gutekunst, the Packers have rarely revisited former players, but desperate times could call for bold moves.
This injury update isn’t isolated; the Packers have been hit hard across the board. Quarterback Jordan Love, who has been dealing with lingering knee issues from earlier in the season, was seen limping after a late hit in the Bears game but played through it. While no official update has been released on Love’s status, sources indicate he’s undergoing further evaluation, adding another layer of uncertainty to Green Bay’s playoff push.
As the Packers prepare for their final two games, the focus shifts to resilience and adaptation. With a thin tight end group and potential concerns at quarterback, Gutekunst and LaFleur face tough decisions to keep their postseason hopes alive. Fans will be watching closely for any further developments in what has become a brutal injury-riddled campaign.