David

Bakhtiari

Bakhtiari, 32, has played in just 13 games since the start of the 2021 season after a horrific late season injury in 2020. He continues a media tour to try to gin up interest among contending teams with offensive line issues, mostly recently sitting down with ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Even if he signs with a team this summer, it’s hard to imagine Bakhtiari will be more than a rotational player. The Jets, with longtime Bakhtiari friend Aaron Rodgers under center, makes sense as a landing spot this summer.

Still recovering from a knee injury that ended his 2020 season, Bakhtiari, 32, has undergone multiple surgeries and was recently deemed by Dr. Brian Cole to be on schedule for a 2024 return. It remains to be seen whether the grizzled veteran will be able to return to elite form if and when he gets back on the field. Released by the Packers in March, he’ll look to sign a short-term deal with another team looking for pass protection help. Look for longtime friend Aaron Rodgers to recruit Bakhtiari in the coming weeks.

According to Rapoport, Bakhtiari is “diligently rehabbing and is focused on returning to play.” Credit to the veteran lineman for continuously battling to get back on the field, but it goes without saying that Bakhtiari has been working to return from the same devastating knee injury that ended his 2020 campaign. Bakhtiari has played in only 13 games since 2021 and played in one game in both 2021 and 2023. Set to turn 33 in September, Bakhtiari’s age, coupled with his injury, may prove to be too much for him to return at a high level of play.

Bakhtiari hasn’t been the same since suffering a devastating leg injury in 2020. The former two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler has played in just 14 games over the last three years and was limited to only one game in 2021 and 2023. It’s hard to imagine Bakhtiari, 32, has much to offer at this stage in his career, but he will likely try to continue his career elsewhere in 2024. The Jets seem like a logical fit, given his connection to Aaron Rodgers and their need for offensive line help, but whether or not Gang Green is willing to take that plunge is another conversation.

Bakhtiari told reporters that the issue stems from the torn ACL he suffered late in the 2020 season. Doctors hoped the cartilage issue would not become a problem, but it eventually surfaced, requiring season-ending surgery this year. Bakhtiari told reporters he plans to be ready for training camp in 2024. The 32-year-old tackle has been through the wringer with knee issues over the past three seasons. He has appeared in just 14 games since tearing his ACL. At 32 years old, it’s fair to wonder if this will be the last we see of Bakhtiari in the NFL.

Bakhtiari will miss at least the next four games, but the veteran left tackle could be sidelined for much longer. Bakhtiari continues to be plagued by a leg injury suffered in 2020, and has appeared in just 13 games since 2021. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, it’s “unclear when or if Bakhtiari will return this season.”

Bakhtiari will miss his third straight game after tweaking his knee in Week 1. Fellow offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins is also out for Week 4. The Packers will face Aidan Hutchinson, who leads the NFL in pressures, while down multiple starting linemen on Thursday.

Also inactive for the Packers are CB Jaire Alexander, RB Aaron Jones, DB Anthony Johnson, DB Zayne Anderson, OL David Bakhtiari, and OL Elgton Jenkins. Watson is still working his way through the hamstring issue he suffered just before the start of the season. Given his track record fo soft-tissue injuries, the Packers are clearly letting him fully recover before rushing him back into action. Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs will handle the bulk of the targets for Green Bay in Week 3.

Fellow offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins was ruled out. Bakhtiari did not practice at all this week, but the veteran left tackle could still play. He missed last week with his knee injury and has dealt with various knee issues since suffering a torn ACL in 2020. Last week, Yosh Nijman and Rasheed Walker both saw reps at left tackle.

Bakhtiari missed Week 2 with the knee issue and will almost certainly be ruled out later today. He has had lingering knee issues since tearing his ACL in 2020 and will likely have his workload managed through the season. Yosh Nijman and Rasheed Walker both saw snaps at left tackle in Week 2.