It has now been 21 months since we saw David Bakhtiari on the field for the Green Bay Packers. The two-time All-Pro offensive tackle tore his ACL in December of 2020, and he's been on the shelf since. After being forced to sit out the entire year last season, it now sounds like the 30-year-old is closing in on a much-anticipated return to action.
Sunday's Week 3 marquee matchup against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be an excellent opportunity for Bakhtiari to come back after nearly two years. At this point, however, his status for Sunday still remains up in the air.
Packers reporter Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports that Bakhtiari has officially been tagged as questionable for the Packers' third game of the season:
David Bakhtiari: questionable
Allen Lazard: good to go
Sammy Watkins: out
Christian Watson: questionable
Randall Cobb: questionable
Mason Crosby: good to go
Marcedes Lewis: questionable
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) September 23, 2022
It is worth noting, though, that Bakhtiari seems to be ramping it up in practice of late. On Friday, the three-time Pro Bowler put in his second consecutive day of practice this week (via Ryan Wood of USATODAY):
#Packers LT David Bakhtiari is practicing today, his second straight day of practice. It doesn’t mean he’ll make his 2022 debut Sunday but … it can’t hurt.
#Packers LT David Bakhtiari is practicing today, his second straight day of practice. It doesn’t mean he’ll make his 2022 debut Sunday but … it can’t hurt.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) September 23, 2022
In spite of this encouraging development, however, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur isn't taking any chances on his star OT. Green Bay seems more than comfortable with taking a slow and steady approach for Bakhtiari as he looks to come back from a major injury:
Matt LaFleur said David Bakhtiari won’t practice 3 days in a row. He also indicated he would be on a day, off a day, on. That appears to be more fluid, since he has more than once. He has not practiced 3 days in a row, though.
Matt LaFleur said David Bakhtiari won’t practice 3 days in a row. He also indicated he would be on a day, off a day, on. That appears to be more fluid, since he has more than once. He has not practiced 3 days in a row, though.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) September 23, 2022
David Bakhtiari's chances of suiting up against the Bucs on Sunday does not appear to be very good. What you can say for sure, however, is that he's getting closer. It won't be long before Aaron Rodgers gets his top blocker back.
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