NFL insider explains David Bakhtiari's status ahead of stretch run

The Green Bay Packers have been patiently waiting for the return of their All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari. Unfortunately, it looks like they’ll be waiting a little while longer.

NFL insider Tom Pelissero shared on Tuesday that Bakhtiari had to have additional surgery on his knee. The arthroscopic “clean up” procedure was on the same knee he injured last year.

Due to the recent procedure, Bakhtiari won’t practice or play this week. The Packers face the 7-3 Rams at home on Sunday in the afternoon window.

It wasn’t all bad news, however. The All-Pro and highest-graded LT coming into the season will likely be back as the 8-3 Pack get closer to the playoffs.

#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 hasn’t played at all this year after tearing his ACL on New Year’s Eve in practice and spent the season on the PUP list. Green Bay put him back on the active list two weeks ago.

Last year, before his injury, he was one of the main reasons why the Packers allowed just 21 sacks — a mark that ranked second in the NFL. This year, Green Bay allowed 19 sacks through nine games, which speaks to the impact Bakhtiari has on protecting quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Bakhtiari is a two-time first-team All-Pro tackle and a three-time second-teamer for the Packers. They selected him in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Colorado, where he was a two-time All-Pac-12 selection.

Packers receive diagnosis on Elgton Jenkins

The Green Bay Packers received some tough news on Monday. Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins, who went down with a non-contact knee injury on Sunday, has suffered a torn ACL according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Jenkins will miss the remainder of the season. The injury is to Jenkins’ left knee. He was sliding to his left while trying to block Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith, and Jenkins went down immediately following the play. The Packers initially feared a torn ACL, and those fears have now become a reality.

The blow is another tough one for the Packers offense. Running back Aaron Jones suffered a knee injury last week and he will miss multiple weeks. Jenkins had been playing left tackle for the Packers while David Bakhtiari has worked his way back from a torn ACL of his own.