The Green Bay Packers have an interesting test ahead of them when they face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. David Bakhtiari hopes to be at the line of scrimmage to protect Aaron Rodgers from the Vikings' pass rushers.
Ian Rapoport confirmed that the one-time first-team All-Pro tackle is doing everything he can in order to be cleared to play on the field.
#Packers LT David Bakhtiari, who popped up on the report with a back injury, is planning to play today vs. the #Vikings, I’m told. Meanwhile, #Chiefs LT Eric Fisher, who injured his groin late in the practice week, is a long-shot to play vs. the #Raiders.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 15, 2019
There's no question that the 27-year-old lineman is still questionable for the game. Moreover, his eligibility to play will probably go down to the wire hours before kickoff.
However, the team's rookie head coach is more than happy to have a soldier like Bakhtiari practicing in the field. He's hoping that Bakhtiari will be able to play as the Vikings have good players in their secondary.
“It was nice to have him out there. He did a little bit of work,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said, via the Wisconsin State Journal. “We’ve just got to make sure he’s ready to go and can protect himself and play high-quality football. If he can’t, then he won’t play.
“He’s got a big task ahead of him. They’ve got two premier rushers in Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter. It’s going to be a big task for whoever’s in there.”
Bakhtiari is the epitome of consistency for the Packers. He's started in all but six Packers games ever since he was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. His strength has been a cog the Packers offense has counted on for years.
Follow Us
Subscribe