The Green Bay Packers have managed to rattle off an 8-3 start to the year that has landed them among the top teams in the NFC, all without the help of All-Pro offensive lineman David Bakhtiari.
Based on a Tuesday report, it sounds like Aaron Rodgers won’t have to be without his star left tackle much longer.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo, Bakhtiari recently underwent arthroscopic surgery to clean up the knee that he had reconstructed back in January. The operation will likely set his recovery timeline back a few weeks, but the Packers are reportedly optimistic that the All-Pro will be in the lineup for the stretch run.
That being said, Green Bay plans to rule Bakhtiari out of practice this week and Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
#Packers All-Pro LT David Bakhtiari had arthroscopic surgery recently to clean up the knee that was reconstructed back in January, sources tell me and @mikegarafolo. Bakhtiari won’t practice or play again this week, but there’s optimism he’ll be back for the stretch run.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 23, 2021
The news is somewhat of a setback for Bakhtiari, who had been on the practice field with the Packers in recent weeks. However, Garafolo reported that the 30-year-old feels much better after the minor surgery and better prepared to return sometime before the end of the season, after Green Bay’s bye.
“David Bakhtiari is feeling much better after the procedure. Hope on the Packers’ end is he continue to improve through the bye and is back and ready to roll in December which fits,” Garafolo wrote on Twitter.
David Bakhtiari is feeling much better after the procedure. Hope on the #Packers’ end is he continues to improve through the bye and is back and ready to roll in December, which fits @RapSheet’s recent timeline. https://t.co/2nGOfPUYG9
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 23, 2021
NFL fans and media members received Tuesday’s report on Bakhtiari a bit more cautiously. While some saw the news as a chance for the All-Pro left tackle to get back on the field soon, others saw the surgery as a clear setback.
Both groups of were unsure of exactly when Bakhtiari would be back with the Packers.
#Packers David Bakhtiari news.
This. Makes. Sense. https://t.co/X9yHwxGAFh— Mike Clemens (@MikeClemensNFL) November 23, 2021
Him going from practicing for weeks to not at all never made any sense. There was clearly a setback, and here it is. https://t.co/irb53vvQRN
— Matt Infield WSAW (@Matt_Infield) November 23, 2021
So it turns out when Matt LaFleur says “it’s not a setback”, he means “David has had another surgery.” https://t.co/oUauRFUHtF
— Mark Oldacres (@MarkOldacres) November 23, 2021
Meanwhile in GB:
Elgton Jenkins tears ACL and the guy he was replacing — David Bahktiari — just underwent a bit of knee surgery, delaying his return that much more.
Add to this that Rodgers is nursing what sounds like a painful toe injury.
NFC things that matter. https://t.co/jfND6kjNPg
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) November 23, 2021
Bakhtiari began the year on the physically-unable-to-perform list and hasn’t played in a game in 2021. However, he’s just a year removed from making his second All-Pro First Team and is clearly in the prime of his career.
If he can get back on the field in Green Bay soon, the Packers will become even more of a Super Bowl threat.
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