Packers playing coy about possible David Bakhtiari return vs. Chiefs

The Green Bay Packers could have lineman David Bakhtiari back healthy when they play the Chiefs but they want to keep their cards close to the chest.

Will David Bakhtiari make his long-awaited return to the Packers‘ offensive front against the Chiefs?

Head coach Matt LaFleur already knows the answer. He’s just not going to share it with the world yet.

“We’ve just got to make sure that the timing is right and take it day by day,” LaFleur said per Packers.com. “When he’s ready to go (and) everybody feels confident about it then he’ll be back out there.”

Packers roster: David Bakhtiari should be activated this week

LaFleur admitted the decision on Bakhtiari has already been made. It is being withheld to keep the Chiefs guessing.

Either way, the Packers are expected to activate Bakhtiari from the PUP list this week with his roster exemption expiring on Wednesday. Being activated doesn’t necessarily mean he will play.

Bakhtiari has been out since the very end of 2020 when he tore his ACL on New Year’s Eve. His recovery from that injury kept him out at the start of the season but he’s shown signs of making his return soon by practicing for the last three weeks.

Since Bakhtiari is a two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler, getting him back should be huge for Green Bay. Getting him back went the team is already in a groove, carrying a seven-game winning streak into the Kansas City game, is even better.

The only thing the lineman needs to prove is how quickly he can get fully up to speed to help the Packers’ freight train keep rolling.