David Bakhtiari surprises Green Bay Packers with injury status

The Green Bay Packers got a great surprise on Wednesday regarding the injury status of their star left tackle David Bakhtiari. Bakhtiari took the field for practice to applause, his first time on the playing field since he attempted a return to practice a month ago.

Video of Wednesday's return to practice for #Packers David Bakhtiari

HC Matt LaFleur had said prior to practice he would not be out there participating pic.twitter.com/Lkl3coAcQ6

— Cody Krupp (@CodyWKrupp) December 15, 2021

Packers get good news regarding David Bakhtiari injury

After tearing his ACL before the 2021 season began, Bakhtiari has made the long rehab effort to get back onto the field for Green Bay before the playoffs. Bakhtiari attempted to return to practices on Oct. 20, and appeared close to a return before going back to his fully unavailable status.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur wasn’t sure before Wednesday’s practice if Bakhtiari would be present at all, as the practice was only a walkthrough. Even during his press conference appearance before practice began, LaFleur stated he didn’t expect to see him on the field for drills.

“Just taking it a day at a time and when they’re ready to go, they’ll be out there,” LaFleur stated. “So you know, hopefully, I think Jaire [Alexander] will be out there for some but those other guys will not.”

To the surprise of his coach and anyone waiting for his return, Bakhtiari did make it for drills after all. The sight of him on the field is a good indication that he’s getting closer to his return.

Bakhtiari was officially listed on the Packers practice injury report as a limited participant. Although the practice was a walkthrough only with limited activity, simply having him on the field was a boost to the team.

The Packers haven’t made any official indication on whether or not Bakhtiari will be available for Sunday’s game against Baltimore. While there is certainly excitement around the team and fans that he will return soon to the offensive line, the remainder of the week’s practice will tell more about his availability Sunday.

Aaron Rodgers on Bakhtiari’s return

“That’d be nice to get the big giraffe back out there,” Rodgers said of his tackle’s return to the field. “He’s obviously gone through a lot in his rehab and there’s been definitely some low days for him; and some contrasting better days. And I think he’s in a lot better place now than when he was trying to come back the first time.

“So that’s exciting. He seems to be feeling a lot better with his knee and his recovery and that’d be great to have him back.”

The pair of NFL stars have played together on the Packers for nearly a decade, and the loss of Bakhtiari in December of 2020 was a blow to the quarterback’s season as much as anyone else’s.

“I think it’s still kind of in the grieving process for me,” Rodgers said when the ACL tear was first revealed. “Was hoping for some good news. Didn’t get it. You’ve got to move on, but right now it’s still a little raw.”