The Green Bay Packers are hosting the Detroit Lions in Week 2 of NFL pre-season, and for a lot of football fans this matchup is about to get real. Not only will it be an important game for the team’s standings, but there are actually some players out on the field who could make or break their careers. For example, Clay Matthews has been playing better than ever before and he needs to keep that momentum going against his old squad from Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Matt Stafford is still trying to improve after signing with Detroit last season at age 31 and proving why he’s one of the best quarterbacks alive.
The “David Bakhtiari injury history” is a blog about the Green Bay Packers offensive tackle. The author believes that if David Bakhtiari gets some snaps against the Detroit Lions, he will be able to get back into playing shape and help his team win.
David Bakhtiari, the Green Bay Packers’ All-Pro left tackle, has yet to play a single snap this season. Due to an ACL injury he sustained in practice in late December of 2020, he hasn’t played in an NFL football game in over a year.
The Packers have secured the NFC North as well as the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC playoffs, and they now face the Detroit Lions in a somewhat meaningless game to close the season.
According to Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur, Bakhtiari may be able to play, making this game even more important for the Packers.
David Bakhtiari would want to play against the Detroit Lions for the Green Bay Packers.
We already know that LaFleur will start his starters against the Lions, at least in the beginning. The Packers are the only club in the NFC to have a bye in the playoffs, which means that if LaFleur rests his starters, it will be three weeks before they play again. That’s not what he wants, and it’s worth mentioning that Aaron Rodgers also wants to play.
It’s debatable whether playing Rodgers is prudent, but it’s a choice that might be overshadowed by LaFleur’s decision to play Bakhtiari.
For what it’s worth, he told the reporters that he’d want to see the two-time All-Pro on the field this Sunday when the Packers face the Lions at Ford Field.
“This is a player that hasn’t played in well over a year.” Wouldn’t it be great to see him out and about? “Absolutely,” LaFleur responded, as reported by ESPN. “But I want to make sure, and we want to make sure, first and foremost, that he’s in the correct attitude, but also that he can defend himself and is completely functioning.” He’s coming off a major setback. Before we send him out there, we simply want to make sure everything is 100 percent or as close to 100 percent as possible.”
During a game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field, Green Bay Packers #69 David Bakhtiari anticipates a play | Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Bakhtiari’s knee injury is the elephant in the room, according to LaFleur. In a long time, he hasn’t played significant football.
He’s been off the PUP list since about the middle of the season, and he’s been practicing with the team (on and off) since then. With being stated, he hasn’t played against an opponent since the Packers defeated the Tennessee Titans on December 27, 2020.
He had a serious left knee injury that has taken considerably longer to recover than predicted. Keep in mind that he not only had his knee repaired following the first injury in January, but he also had arthroscopic surgery in late November to clean things up. He was activated to the 53-man roster following that.
Bakhtiari’s recuperation has been gradual, but he and the Packers are obviously doing all they can to ensure that when he returns, he’ll be 100 percent healthy.
He seems to be exactly about that point. Now the issue is whether the Packers will rest him for a few more weeks before unleashing him in the playoffs. Or will he be given a warm-up game against the Lions?
LaFleur seems to have a preference, but is he correct?
Why it’s a good idea for the Packers to get Bakhtiari some practice time against the Lions
Green Bay Packers’ David Bakhtiari #69 walks out of player introductions before a game against the Cleveland Browns | Stacy Revere/Getty Images
It’s no secret that the Packers wanted Bakhtiari back in time for the playoffs, but it’s pointless to have his first live action come in the season’s most important games.
It makes no difference if the Packers defeat the Lions in Week 18. Sure, LaFleur wants to keep the momentum rolling, and Rodgers seems to agree, but win or lose, they’re the #1 seed, and they have the bye.
That isn’t likely to change anytime soon.
The game in Detroit is little more than a glorified scrimmage. And, yeah, that candid assessment of the game raises issues about whether athletes like Rodgers should play since he doesn’t need the repetitions. However, it does give a player like Bakhtiari with a somewhat secure environment in which to play. Yes, Bakhtiari is a superstar like Rodgers, but he is in a very different situation than his quarterback right now.
Rodgers doesn’t need the repetitions, and the danger isn’t worth it. Bakhtiari, on the other hand, is in desperate need of repetitions, and it’s well worth the gamble to see whether he can make it.
Bakhtiari’s ability to play a quarter or two against Detroit, shake off some rust, and show to himself and the club that his ailing knee is no longer an issue would be a significant boost for a Packers team looking to win the Super Bowl.
However, if he plays against Detroit and discovers that his knee isn’t ready yet, the Packers aren’t in any worse shape.
Yosh Nijman is a backup to both Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins at left tackle, but he’s shown to be more than capable, and he’s obviously found his stride, having started six straight games on Rodgers’ blindside.
For the Packers, it’s a high-risk, high-reward situation.
If Bakhtiari gives it a go and proves that he can play well in the postseason, an already strong offensive line (which has been patchy for most of the season) will improve much more. If Bakhtiari understands he won’t be able to participate in the playoffs, haven’t the Packers already made it this far without him?
Bakhtiari’s first snaps in the playoffs will be the last thing the Packers want. Detroit is a hard worker, but there’s a significant difference between facing a Lions defensive that ranks third in the league in sacks and, say, a Saints defense that boasts Cameron Jordan.
If Bakhtiari is going to take a beating, it should be in a meaningless game against the Lions rather than in the second round of the playoffs.
ESPN and Pro Football Reference provided the statistics.
Aaron Rodgers Was ‘Sentimental’ About Injured Teammate David Bakhtiari Last Week and Wore Socks to Honor Him
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The Green Bay Packers would be wise to get All-Pro LT some snaps against the Detroit Lions. The Lions have been struggling lately and could use a win. Reference: packers injuries 2021.
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