It’s not looking good for Packers’ David Bakhtiari to return this season
When Green Bay Packers‘ starting left tackle David Bakhtiari tore his ACL in practice last December, it was a crushing blow for the team’s Super Bowl hopes. Green Bay was able to advance to the NFC Championship game, but fell, in part, due to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ vicious pass rush on Aaron Rodgers.
Bakhtiari recovered all offseason and was seen doing some individual work toward the end of training camp. This sparked many fans to believe he was going to be ready to return this season. It wasn’t a huge surprise (maybe a little disappointment) when he was placed on the PUP list to begin the season, ruling him out for at least the first six weeks.
He began practicing on an individual basis sometime after his Week 6 return, but suffered a setback at some point. That led to a cleanup surgery and more time out.
The Green Bay Packers have been hoping to get David Bakhtiari back on the field sometime this season, but the signs aren’t looking good.
Bakhtiari returned again to the practice field two weeks ago when he practiced on an individual basis once more. However, he’s now sitting out this week for what Matt LaFleur called “unloading.”
None of this points toward Bakhtiari returning this season. If he can’t even practice individually for two weeks in a row, it’s hard to imagine he’ll be ready to compete in an NFL game anytime soon. Green Bay is entering their Week 16 contest against the Cleveland Browns and he’s already been ruled out for this contest. There are only two more weeks remaining until the playoffs begin and it’s difficult to imagine Bakhtiari being ready for game-action in that short time frame.
Even if we look to the playoffs, Bakhtiari will have to take some major steps in the next couple of weeks. Let’s say the Packers have a first-round bye, giving Bakhtiari an extra week to prepare. Would Green Bay throw him in the fire for his first game action in over a year when the stakes are the highest?
Next. 4 biggest threats to Bucks earning first-round playoff bye. dark
When healthy, he’s the best left tackle in the game. Unfortunately, Green Bay can’t afford a trial by fire in the playoffs. All things considered: Bakhtiari is running out of time to return this season.