Matt LaFleur was asked about David Bakhtiari’s future this season
Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari has been able to play some this season. However, the All-Pro lineman has had several setbacks with his ACL recovery. Before the Chicago Bears game in Week 13, Bakhtiari had to have an appendectomy, which has caused him to miss the Packers’ last two contests. Head coach Matt LaFleur was asked Thursday about his future this season.
Bakhtiari’s knee already caused his situation to be fluid each week, and he’s missed a lot of practice time this season. However, Bakhtiari’s presence on the field has been noticeable when he’s been able to play this season. Bakhtiari is graded by Pro Football Focus as the Packers’ best offensive lineman this season. But he’s only played in nine games.
A reporter asked LaFleur during his Thursday press conference if the Packers had plans to shut Bakhtiari down for the season. The question came after LaFleur said Bakhtiari would not practice Thursday. He missed Wednesday’s practice as well. LaFleur didn’t seem to think that move was necessary at this point.
“No. Yeah… no,” LaFleur said.
It usually takes a few weeks for an NFL athlete to return from an appendectomy. There’s no reason for the Packers to worry he won’t be back at some point in the next three games but they could use him this Sunday against the Dolphins’ defense with the NFL’s third-highest-rated pass rush.
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