Green Bay Packers: David Bakhtiari Off PUP, When will He Play?
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers have dealt with numerous injuries all season long but they are slowly getting more healthy on offense.
This past week against Kansas City, Allen Lazard, and Davante Adams were both activated off the reserve/COVID list while Marquez Valdes-Scantling was also taken off IR.
While not guaranteed, it does sound like the expectation is that Aaron Rodgers will be back on Sunday, and joining him could be All-Pro David Bakhtiari, who was activated off the PUP list on Wednesday.
Bakhtiari returned to practice three weeks ago and that started the three-week clock for Green Bay to activate him with Wednesday being the deadline. Had they not done so, he then would have had to have gone on season-ending IR.
Overall, this offensive line unit held up relatively well this year despite numerous injuries and musical chairs being played as guys move around what seemed like every single week. Currently, the Packers rank seventh in pass-block win rate as well as seventh in run-block win rate, according to ESPN.
For the most part, Aaron Rodgers has had the time he’s needed in the pocket, and while the run game hasn’t been dominant, it’s been effective enough.
However, that wasn’t the case for Jordan Love on Sunday as the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line allowed a whopping 28 pressures, according to PFF ($$), and could not handle the constant blitzing from the Chiefs’ defense.
While, of course, there is no replacing Bakhtiari—at the left tackle position, Elgton Jenkins and Yosh Nijman held up very well, allowing only four combined sacks and 15 pressure while doing so against some very good edge defenders along the way.
Bakhtiari was playing at an incredibly high level in 2020 prior to his injury, having allowed just one sack and nine pressures, according to PFF ($$). Not to mention that his overall grade from PFF was the second-best among all offensive tackles.
"“I think he has Hall of Fame potential,” said Aaron Rodgers last summer via Sports Illustrated. “He’s an incredible player. When he’s over there (at left tackle), you feel really comfortable with him locking down pass rushers throughout the game. His leadership has been outstanding. He’s been a great locker room guy, he’s been a lot of fun to get to know.”"
The rest of the offensive line will benefit from his return as well. Elgton Jenkins will likely move back to left guard — or perhaps center — where he was named a Pro Bowler and has become one of the best guards in football while Matt LaFleur has the luxury of choosing between Jon Runyan, Lucas Patrick, and Royce Newman for the two openings not filled by Bakhtiari, Jenkins, and Billy Turner.
Does this mean David Bakhtiari will play on Sunday for the Green Bay Packers?
Now, having said all of that, just because he was activated off the PUP list, does not mean that he will play Sunday. The Green Bay Packers want to be 100 percent certain that Bakhtiari is ready to play, so as LaFleur often says, he will have the week to prove that he’s good to go for this Sunday. So keep your eyes on his practice designations this week.
Coming to Lambeau Field this week are the 3-5 Seattle Seahawks, who will have Russell Wilson back under center. This is a Seattle defense that is allowing 4.2 yards per rush this season, which ranks 12th, and they rank 20th in quarterback pressure rate, according to Pro Football Reference.
The return of Bakhtiari will be a huge boost for an already very good Green Bay Packers offense.