TONIGHTS GAME: The Astros and Rangers will resume the Silver Boot Series tonight in a huge three-game set between the top two teams in the AL West.Astros ace RHP Hunter Brown (2-1), who tossed 7.0 shutout innings in his last start, will get tonights start opposite Rangers 10-game winner and native Houstonian RHP Nathan Eovaldi (10-8).THE SILVER BOOT SERIES: The Astros are 6-4 vs. the Rangers in the 2026 Silver Boot Series and can win the season series with just one win this series.Since the start of the 2017 season, the Astros have won or split nine straight season series against the Rangers, going 99-55 vs. the Rangers in that span.THE SLOW TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 35-24 since May 22, which ties as the best record in the AL in that span.On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.Winning Percentage since May 22, ALT1. Astros 35-24 (.593)T1. Red Sox 35-24 (.593)T3. Orioles 32-27 (.542)T3. White Sox 32-27 (.542)WINNING WAYS: The Astros have won eight of their last nine games, which included a five-game winning streak (July 20-25).After Wednesdays win, the Astros are now 55-55, giving them their first .500 record since they were 6-6 on April 7. MEASURING UP: The Astros are 32-23 vs. teams currently at .500 or better.Also, Houston is a combined 20 11 vs. the six AL clubs currently holding playoff spots, with a 10-6 record vs. the three AL division leaders (2-1 vs. TB, 6-4 vs. TEX, 2-1 vs. CWS) and a 10-5 record vs. the three current AL Wild Card teams (5-1 vs. BOS, 4-2 vs. CLE, 1-2 vs. NYY).WINSDAY IN ANAHEIM: The surging Astros completed their fourth sweep of the season on Wednesday in Anaheim with a 7-4 win over the Angels.RHP Hayden Wesneski (3ER/5.2IP) recovered from a three-run 1st inning to pick up the win in what was his first start in over a year.C Yainer Diaz (45, HR, 2RBI) tied his career high in hits, while SS Jeremy Pea (15, HR, RBI) hit his 12th homer of the season.ROAD WARRIORS: The Astros are coming off a 5-1 road trip that took them to Chicago-AL (2-1) and Anaheim (3-0).The Astros are 22-13 (.629) on their last five road trips and are 28-19 (.596) on the road since going 1-9 on their first road trip of the seasonHouston is now 29-28 overall on the road.TONIGHTS BROADCASTS: Tonights game will be exclusively televised by Apple TV with Alex Faust, Ryan Spilborghs and Tricia Whitaker on the callthe Astros English radio broadcast on SportsTalk 790 will feature Robert Ford and Kevin EschenfelderFrancisco Romero and Alex Trevio will be on the call on the Astros Spanish radio broadcast on TUDN 102.9 FM. ON THE MEND: The Astros have five players on the Major League Injured List.Updates on four:RHP Spencer Arrighetti (rt. foot nerve irritation) had an injection in his foot earlier this week and has resumed his throwing program.RHP Mike Burrows (rt. elbow neuritis) threw a 35-pitch live BP session in West Palm Beach today.IF Carlos Correa (lt. ankle tendon injury) has begun light on field baseball activity and a running progression.OF Brice Matthews (lt. knee sprain) is currently participating in light baseball activities in Houston.MVP-CALIBER: Yordan Alvarez is a strong AL MVP candidate as he leads the league in all three Triple Crown categories, ranking first in batting average (.321), HR (35), and RBI (80).Additionally, he currently leads MLB in OPS (1.072), OBP (.432), SLG (.640) and TB (251), and in the AL, he ranks first in hits (126), extra-base hits (55), and runs (74), and fourth in walks (73).HOT IN JULY: DH Yordan Alvarez has hit .349 (2983) with nine home runs, 20 RBI, a .450 OBP,a .723 SLG, and a 1.173 OPS in 22 games in July.In the month, Alvarez leads the AL in home runs, RBI, OPS and SLG, while ranking tied for second in walks (15), third in hits, and fourth in batting average. PEAS STREAK: SS Jeremy Pea has hit safely in 11 straight games at a .413 (1946) clip with six homers, eight RBI and 14 runs scored in those contests.This streak ranks as the third-longest streak of his career trailing only 13- and 14-game streaks posted in the 2025 season. DIESEL POWER: RHP Hunter Brown will make his 10th start of the season and his eighth since returning from a lengthy stint on the IL with a right shoulder strain.He has shown some rust upon his return, but did post his best start of the season his last time out, shutting out the White Sox on two hits in 7.0 innings on Saturday in Chicago.Tonight, Brown will face the Rangers, who hes gone 4-4 with a 3.00 ERA (19ER/57IP) against in 10 career starts.WHAT A RELIEF: LHP Josh Hader, who is 14-for- 14 in save opportunities with a 1.23 ERA, enters tonight with 76 career saves as an Astro, needing one more to move past RHP Fred Gladding for fifth place all-time among Astros relievers.MINOR LEAGUE MOVES: The Astros have re-signed IF Braden Shewmake to a minor league deal and assigned him to Triple A.Also, RHP J.P. France, who spent parts of the last four seasons with the Astros, has been given his release.Game InfoGame Date/Time:Friday, July 31, 7:10 p.m. CTLocation:Daikin Park, Houston, TXTV:Apple TVRadio:KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)Good to be back home!: 7:10 PM: Closed: @AppleTV: @SportsTalk790 & 740 AM | Spanish: 102.9 HD2#ChaseTheFight x @reliantenergypic.twitter.com/kIWQDZVJEp Houston Astros (@astros) July 31, 2026Big Game Nate gets the ball. #AllForTXpic.twitter.com/9J9tCYKnoq Texas Rangers (@Rangers) July 31, 2026

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 05: Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Kion Smith (71) during an NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and the Carolina Panthers on October 5, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe Seattle Seahawks held a tryout for a former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman this week. According to the Friday NFL transaction wire, free agent guard Kion Smith visited the Seahawks, but as of yet it doesnt look like the tryout has translated to a signing.Smith played his college football at Fayetteville State, a Division II school in North Carolina. After going undrafted in 2021, Smith signed with the Atlanta Falcons but didnt make the final roster. The Miami Dolphins signed him to their practice squad the same year and he stayed with Miami in some capacity up until last season.While Smith was with the Dolphins for five seasons, he only managed playing time in the 2023 and 2025 seasons. Of his 23 games, two were starts in Weeks 2 and 3 of last year. After spot duty appearances at left and right tackle in 2023, all of his offensive snaps last year were at right guard.In some cursory research of Smith to see if he would hold any interest beyond being a camp body, there was some interesting talk from Dolphins content creators like Focused on Fins as far as being Miamis primary swing tackle. This was before he eventually started at guard, but just watch No. 71 and youll get a glimpse of some highlights.

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BALTIMORE Adley Rutschman was Mike Elias bell cow in the massive rebuild the general manager undertook with the Baltimore Orioles, the very first pick atop the 2019 draft, one year after 118 losses gave the Orioles the chance to select the catcher from Oregon State.Now, seven years later, Elias cant say for sure how long Rutschman will remain an Oriole.Rutschman, now a three-time All-Star who can become a free agent after the 2027 season, has emerged as a trade candidate as the Orioles run of uneven play has stretched on for the third consecutive season as they approach the Aug. 3 trade deadline.Before Baltimore begins a crucial series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, July 31, Elias expressed his appreciation for Rutschman while noting he cannot rule out moving him should the 53-56 Orioles slip further behind in the American League playoff slog.We love him. You feel it when he's gone from the team, Elias says of Rutschman, currently on the injured list with left wrist inflammation, yet expected to go on a rehab assignment early next week. Absolutely love Adley and having him as long as we can.But.But, as I mentioned, I think we put ourselves in a position where we've got to be pretty open-minded here as we go into these (trade) talks. But Adley is one of the best things we have going for us.More: MLB trade deadline bold predictions: Skubal to Brewers, Cubs get coveted armSo its gone for the Orioles since mid 2024, when they faded in the second half, still won 90 games and yet were swept out of the wild card series in two games. A 75-87 season in 2025 precipitated a winter overhaul that included a $155 million commitment to slugger Pete Alonso.Yet the 2026 Orioles have struggled to sync up their play the defense has been consistently bad and they enter play Friday 2 1/2 games out of a wild card spot, with three teams to pass. Nine teams are within 5 1/2 games of the three wild card positions.Consequently, this trade deadline has been unbearably slow to develop Elias called it this strange limbo zone due to the AL quagmire and the notion of teams falling into binary buy or sell modes remains elusive.With that in mind, teams fates can change from one hour to the next.The Orioles best, likeliest trade chip should they decide to sell remains left-hander Trevor Rogers, who has posted a 1.99 ERA and 45-12 strikeout-walk ratio in his last eight starts. Elias would not comment on whether the club is engaging in extension talks with Rogers.Outfielder/DH Taylor Ward and a handful of relievers, and possibly outfielder Colton Cowser, remain the likeliest Orioles to be dealt should they opt to sell.We are watching game by game, says Elias. This has turned out to be kind of a razor-wire situation going into this deadline, two and a half out, three games below .500. I think both of those are really disappointing, particularly what we hope to be.We still have a shot, a good shot in the American League. I mean, we are going to be watching the results of tonight's game, tomorrow's game, but it's pretty important at this point that we have an idea of what we're doing. We do have a shot.We do care about making the playoffs in 2026.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Orioles GM 'open-minded' as trade deadline looms. That includes Adley Rutschman.

If weve learned anything in the last month, its that things can change in a hurry.It wasnt long ago that there was speculation that Craig Breslow would not survive a season in which the Red Sox failed to make the postseason.But the teams U-turn, taking them from 14 games under .500 to the second wild card team, one close enough to breathe down the Yankees neck, has completely altered the picture.Theres still two months remaining in the regular season, and given that the Red Sox are currently favored to reach the playoffs calculated at 69 percent before Thursdays win it should stand to reason that Breslows job appears safe.Back in June, it seemed as if the trade deadline was going to serve as a referendum on Breslows job security play in October and he was likely safe; fail to reach the postseason and it was probable hed be gone. Thats not the question any more.There is, however, still plenty on the line by Monday evening and thats Breslows legacy.Since being named chief baseball officer in the winter of 2023, Breslow has overseen two and a half seasons. His work in the offseason has generally been very good.Last winter alone, Breslow acquired, either through trade or free agency: Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez, Willson Contreras, Caleb Durbin and Jake Bennett.The offseason before, he added Garrett Crochet, Aroldis Chapman and, however briefly, Alex Bregman.Full marks there. Breslow overhauled the starting rotation, the back of the bullpen, and though a case could be made that he should have done more to boost the offense, the acquisition of Contreras has had a major impact on the 2026 team with two more years of control remaining.But its one thing to make successful trades (and signings) in the offseason, and its another to make them at the deadline. And its there that Breslow needs to improve.Improving the roster in November, December and January allows for more leeway. Theres plenty of time to wait out the free agent market and react to what other teams have done. The deadline is nowhere near as forgiving: most moves get done in the final 96 hours, and timing is everything. It requires quick adjustments, good instincts and the ability to act decisively within a brief window.To date, Breslow hasnt shown himself capable of doing that.Breslows first deadline really shouldnt count against him. At the time, the Red Sox were barely holding on to the third wild card. There was no consensus that the team was worst investing, and so Breslows list of pickups were mostly depth moves: Danny Jansen, Lucas Sims, Luis Garcia. Nobody expected that group to move the needle and they didnt by the first week of September, they had dipped to .500 and thats where they finished.Last year, however, was different. The Red Sox were better positioned, and yet Breslow failed to make any significant moves. Starter Dustin May performed poorly and Steven Matz was merely an effective middle reliever.This summer, the pressure is on. The teams climb back into contention has the feel of legitimacy and the American League lacks a dominant team. If there were ever a year in which a wild card team could make a true run for the pennant, its this one.First, however, they need help.To his credit, Breslow struck first last weekend, sending Connelly Early to Washington for infielder Curtis Mead. You can argue that Breslow gave up more than he should have, but you have to admire his aggressiveness to fill an obvious need.We know what happened next: two plate appearances into his Red Sox tenure, Mead was struck on the left wrist by a 95 mph fastball, resulting in a broken wrist. The hope is hell return in late September, but thats no guarantee.Breslow doesnt deserve blame for a freak injury, but the cold hard truth is that, for the time being, the Red Sox are down one valuable trade chip (Early) and without the services of the player for whom he was traded. In a best case scenario, theyre right back where they started.Its doubtful that Breslow is done. By all accounts, the Red Sox continue to have trade talks in search of a shortstop or a catcher, and perhaps some additional pitching, too. The majority of the people in the game expect the Red Sox to be active, even post-Mead.What Breslow does in the next four days could well define his tenure in Boston. The proper trade(s) could further lift the Red Sox playoff chances and position them for a deep October run.Anything less, however, will further cement the notion that Breslow never did enough to give his teams an improved chance by his actions at the deadline.Every successful front office executive in Boston has succeeded at crunch time. Theo Epstein had his missteps (Eric Gagne, anyone?), but he also landed Orlando Cabrera, Dave Roberts and Doug Mientkiewicz in one fell swoop in 2004, and without them, the Red Sox dont win the World Series that fall.Now its Breslows turn to prove that his smart acquisitions arent limited only to the offseason.More Red Sox coverageRed Sox win included interrupted HR celebration, Spider-Man analogy, unsung huge contributorFrom Jason Varitek to Nate Eovaldi: The Red Sox All-Trade Deadline TeamWhat Red Sox Jarren Duran, Willson Contreras said about gesturing-yelling incident; Nothing personalRed Sox reactions: Willson Contreras, Wilyer Abreu turn 8th-inning deficit into comeback winRed Sox injuries: Roman Anthony begins swinging (and team gives update on trade addition)Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

When each kid took off down the long jump runway, the assembled families and participants cheered and hollered.It did not matter if it was their kid or their friend or not. It did not matter if they knew each other before the meet. Whether or not a kid finished in first or last didnt matter, they all got ribbons and had smiles on their faces after the events.The kids were getting outside, meeting new people and having fun. They all were having fun at the Niagara Track and Field Clubs recent meet at Niagara Falls High School.For former Niagara Falls High School assistant track coach Willie Price, its what makes his youth track and field meets unique. In the Niagara Track and Field Club meets, there are no teams and everybody cheers for everybody.We say cheer for everybody because that one kid that might have had that one bad jump or that one bad race and now all the parents are cheering for them, event organizer Willie Price said. And they pick it back up when they didnt think they could pick it back up because they were so tired. So those kind of things, that's what motivates me.The inspiration for putting on the track and field events for Price came after one of the worst moments of his life. Back in 2011, Price fell 25 feet off of a roof and was seriously injured, breaking his left ankle and the bones in the balls of his right foot.After the fall, he promised himself and God that if he could ever walk and run again, he would help the community.After recovering, the 64-year-old lived up to that promise and started the event in 2017 after meeting with then-Niagara Falls Superintendent Mark Laurrie about the lack of both track and field activities and cheap activities for kids in the summer.Before every event, Price calls all of the families to midfield where they do stretches to get warmed up before the kids participate in the events. The families all take part and Price says it is to make sure that everybody feels included.The sponsor-fueled free event serves kids from 3 to 14. The importance of the event was not just noticed by Price, but by the families participating, including Shawniece Baillie, who had her two kids, Evie and Aubrey, take part in the event.I think that theyre really important, Baillie said. It gives opportunities for families to come together. It gives opportunities for kids to learn new skills and meet new friends and to stay active.One of the things that Price enjoys the most about the events is helping kids learn the sport and grow in the sport over time. Over the years, he has helped each of Marketside Restaurant owner Tony Polettis three kids, including his 3-year-old son Vito, who Price laughingly recalled running the 200-meter dash Tuesday.Price spoke to Polettis wife Kiley before the 200 and said that he did not think the littlest Poletti child could run the distance event. Then he looked to the other side of the track and saw Vito taking his place at the starting line against older kids and proceeded to finish the race.The relationship between the Poletti family and Price has seen Tony and Kiley help out at the events.My kids are in basketball, baseball, soccer, swimming and hes one of my favorites, Tony said. He encourages kids to compete against themselves, beat their own time. Hes very instructive and encouraging and its one of my favorite sports.

Iowa landed a commitment from class of 2028 offensive lineman James Barnett.Barnett, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound lineman out of Iowa City West High School, is the son of Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett.Barnett is ranked as a three-star commit, as the nation's No. 26 interior offensive lineman and as the No. 6 player in Iowa in the 2028 class, per 247Sports.In addition to Iowa, Barnett held offers from Miami (Ohio) and South Dakota.Staying home@TylerBarnesIOWA@CoachMacccpic.twitter.com/Zq7N2hiAif James Barnett (@JamesBarne47542) July 31, 2026Barnett joins cornerback Dwayle Smith as the second commit in Iowa's 2028 class. Smith hails from Baltimore, Md., and attends St. Frances Academy.Here's a look at Barnett's highlights:Contact/Follow us@HawkeyesWireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.Follow Josh on X:@JoshOnHawksThis article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football lands commitment from 2028 OL James Barnett

Memphis guard Dug McDaniel plans to enter the Transfer Portal, On3s Joe Tipton reports. McDaniel was one of a plethora of players to be granted an injunction against the NCAA to play the 2026-27 college basketball season,accordingto court documents.McDaniel is seeking his fourth program in five seasons. Across his four-year career (60 games at Michigan, 32 games at Kansas State, 32 games at Memphis), McDaniel boasts career averages of 12.3 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.3 rebounds.Although the value of missed NIL opportunities could potentially be quantified, the lost opportunity to play NCAA Division I basketball for a fifth season results in a loss of opportunity for exposure and building his personal brand, the court order stated. NCAA eligibility is necessarily limited in duration. The opportunity to compete as a student-athlete, develop athletically, and pursue compensation through name, image, and likeness activities exists only during a finite period and cannot be recreated once a season has concluded.Plaintiffs have demonstrated that, absent injunctive relief, they will be unable to compete in the upcoming season and enter the NCAA Transfer Portal and pursue opportunities to compete during an additional season, should such opportunities become available. Once those deadlines pass and roster positions are filled, the lost opportunity cannot be restored through a later judgment or adequately compensated by monetary damage.Dug McDaniel was among many plaintiffs granted injunction to play next seasonOther plaintiffs named in the suit included Jalen Washington,Brody Robinson, Jack Browder, Olamide Ajiboye, Daniel Egbuniwe, Cameron Fens, Chendall Weaver,Jason Edwards, Zachary Davis, Tarence Guinyard,A.J. Storr, Carly Keats, Braxton Slacker, BJ Edwards, Isabel Grimes, Jaylon Johnson, Sam Alexis, and N.J. Benson.Attorneys on the case were Darren Heitner and Texas Trial Groups Ryan Downton.The age-based model calls for an athletes eligibility clock to start initial full-time enrollment in college or at the beginning of the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs earlier. The age-based eligibility implementation will begin this summer. Recruits starting in 2027 are age-based only.An Ohio judge granted a preliminary injunction for 24 mens and womens college basketball players suing the NCAA for eligibility on the age-based eligibility model earlier this summer. The win has spurred another set of suits against the NCAA, with the latest now coming in Tennessee.To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3s Transfer Portalwire. TheOn3 Transfer Portal Instagram accountandTwitter accountare excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.On3s Pete Nakos contributed to this article.

GREEN BAY Tucker Kraft is back.No more PUP list. No more shorts and T-shirt on the sideline. And definitely no hold-in for the Green Bay Packers tight end.Kraft, who tore the ACL in his right knee in November, returned to the field July 31, two days before the nine-month anniversary of the injury. He had one more checkup with UW Badger Lab, who oversaw his rehabilitation, and was told in the morning that the results showed he was ready to return to the football field.[The doctor] told me my knee looks spectacular, Kraft said after the Packers removed him from the physically-unable-to-perform list.In Krafts mind, he was ready a month ago, but the Packers follow a science that says a minimum of nine months must pass before returning from an ACL tear. So, he patiently went through another month of training to prepare for the season.He felt way ahead of the process, but there were, as he called them, guard rails in place to protect him from overdoing it and possibly suffering a setback. And just as there were guard rails during rehab, there will be guard rails with his return to the football field.He started out doing only limited individual drills, which means there wasnt much torque placed on his knee or chance he would slam it into somebody. It will be awhile before hes allowed to take part in 11-on-11 drills with the No. 1 offense and its unlikely hell take part in any of the three preseason games.Kraft did want to make it clear, however, that he will be in pads with everyone else when the players put them on for the first time Aug. 3.Im going to be in the same dress as everyone else all the time because Im back now, Kraft said. Im going to be part of practice phase-by-phase as much as I can moving forward. So, wherever the team is at, I am now a part of practice in every facet now.The Packers and Kraft have recently begun talks on a contract extension, but Kraft said he did notconsider a hold-in, which is when a player reports to camp so hes not fined but claims an injury is preventing him from practicing. Its a way to put pressure on the club to advance negotiations and to ensure the player doesnt suffer an injury that would affect his bargaining power.Kraft is supremely confident in himself and will be seeking a blockbuster deal given he was playing as well as any tight end in the league when he got hurt against the Carolina Panthers. However, its likely he has also taken out an insurance policy that will cover him financially if something drastic were to happen.I understand other peoples worries in that facet, Kraft said. However, I myself, Im just worried about getting back to who I was pre-injury.Going into the Panthers game, he ranked ninth among all tight ends with 30 catches, but he led the position in average yards per catch (15.6) and average yards after the catch per reception (10.8) and was tied for first in touchdowns (six).If he had maintained that pace, he would have been a good bet for his first Pro Bowl.Most importantly, the Packers offense missed his output both in the passing game and running game. By seasons end, it dropped from seventh to 10th in yards and from tied for fifth to 13th in points per game.Kraft expects it to take time before hes the same guy pre-injury, but hes supremely confident in his ability to conquer every stage of his return.Like I dont want anyone to get their expectations too high, he said. Im not going to be doing anything too crazy here for a while. But as long as our GM and our training staff and the coaches, everyones on the same page, Ill just get phased in period by period until you guys see me outthere taking team reps.So, thats the goal. Were in that ramp-up phase right now to get ready for Week 1.Kraft has no doubt hell be ready for the opener in Minnesota. He doesnt anticipate taking part in preseason games but expressed some hope hed be able to take part in a joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals during the final week of training camp.When asked about encountering some good days and bad days, he said he isnt expecting any bad ones.People talk about things like that, but theyre not me, he said. Ive had a great experience so far and Im going to continue to push and be the best I can be.This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers tight end Tucker Kraft returns with his eye on season opener

GREEN BAY Tucker Kraft is back.No more PUP list. No more shorts and T-shirt on the sideline. And definitely no hold-in for the Green Bay Packers tight end.Kraft, who tore the ACL in his right knee in November, returned to the field July 31, two days before the nine-month anniversary of the injury. He had one more checkup with UW Badger Lab, who oversaw his rehabilitation, and was told in the morning that the results showed he was ready to return to the football field.[The doctor] told me my knee looks spectacular, Kraft said after the Packers removed him from the physically-unable-to-perform list.In Krafts mind, he was ready a month ago, but the Packers follow a science that says a minimum of nine months must pass before returning from an ACL tear. So, he patiently went through another month of training to prepare for the season.He felt way ahead of the process, but there were, as he called them, guard rails in place to protect him from overdoing it and possibly suffering a setback. And just as there were guard rails during rehab, there will be guard rails with his return to the football field.He started out doing only limited individual drills, which means there wasnt much torque placed on his knee or chance he would slam it into somebody. It will be awhile before hes allowed to take part in 11-on-11 drills with the No. 1 offense and its unlikely hell take part in any of the three preseason games.Kraft did want to make it clear, however, that he will be in pads with everyone else when the players put them on for the first time Aug. 3.Im going to be in the same dress as everyone else all the time because Im back now, Kraft said. Im going to be part of practice phase-by-phase as much as I can moving forward. So, wherever the team is at, I am now a part of practice in every facet now.The Packers and Kraft have recently begun talks on a contract extension, but Kraft said he did notconsider a hold-in, which is when a player reports to camp so hes not fined but claims an injury is preventing him from practicing. Its a way to put pressure on the club to advance negotiations and to ensure the player doesnt suffer an injury that would affect his bargaining power.Kraft is supremely confident in himself and will be seeking a blockbuster deal given he was playing as well as any tight end in the league when he got hurt against the Carolina Panthers. However, its likely he has also taken out an insurance policy that will cover him financially if something drastic were to happen.I understand other peoples worries in that facet, Kraft said. However, I myself, Im just worried about getting back to who I was pre-injury.Going into the Panthers game, he ranked ninth among all tight ends with 30 catches, but he led the position in average yards per catch (15.6) and average yards after the catch per reception (10.8) and was tied for first in touchdowns (six).If he had maintained that pace, he would have been a good bet for his first Pro Bowl.Most importantly, the Packers offense missed his output both in the passing game and running game. By seasons end, it dropped from seventh to 10th in yards and from tied for fifth to 13th in points per game.Kraft expects it to take time before hes the same guy pre-injury, but hes supremely confident in his ability to conquer every stage of his return.Like I dont want anyone to get their expectations too high, he said. Im not going to be doing anything too crazy here for a while. But as long as our GM and our training staff and the coaches, everyones on the same page, Ill just get phased in period by period until you guys see me outthere taking team reps.So, thats the goal. Were in that ramp-up phase right now to get ready for Week 1.Kraft has no doubt hell be ready for the opener in Minnesota. He doesnt anticipate taking part in preseason games but expressed some hope hed be able to take part in a joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals during the final week of training camp.When asked about encountering some good days and bad days, he said he isnt expecting any bad ones.People talk about things like that, but theyre not me, he said. Ive had a great experience so far and Im going to continue to push and be the best I can be.This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers tight end Tucker Kraft returns with his eye on season opener