'Optimism' that Packers' Bakhtiari will return for 'stretch run'

Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Report: 'Optimism' that Packers All-Pro OL David Bakhtiari will return for 'stretch run'

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 11/23/21

It's been nearly 11 months since Green Bay Packers offensive lineman David Bakhtiari has taken the field with his teammates. The 30-year-old suffered a season-ending knee injury during Week 16 last year that has kept him out through the first 11 games in 2021, but the organization is hoping that they'll have the two-time first-team All-Pro back at some point before their next playoff run.

#Packers All-Pro LT David Bakhtiari had arthroscopic surgery recently to clean up the knee that was reconstructed back in January, sources tell me and @mikegarafolo. Bakhtiari won’t practice or play again this week, but there’s optimism he’ll be back for the stretch run.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 23, 2021

Bakhtiari was selected by the Packers in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, and he missed just four games up until last December's knee injury. He earned Pro Bowl nods in 2016, 2018 and 2019, while being named first-team All-Pro in 2018 and 2020.

Bakhtiari is far from the only guy currently on the shelf from the Packers offense, as it was announced on Monday that fellow Pro Bowl offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins had suffered a torn ACL. Starting running back Aaron Jones missed his first game of the season in Week 11 with a knee injury of his own, while star quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been nursing a toe injury.

The Packers will play the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12 at 4:25 p.m. on Sunday before taking their bye in Week 13.

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