How concerned should Packers be about David Bakhtiari?

The Green Bay Packers should be concerned about the health surrounding David Bakhtiari.

Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari has played in one game for the franchise since tearing his ACL in practice on New Year’s Eve two seasons ago.

ESPN’s Rob Demovksy revealed how the injury rehab process is going for a few key players on the team, including Bakhtiari. While Kylin Hill, Elgton Jenkins and Robert Tonyan seem to be progressing well from their torn ACLs suffered last season, the same thing does not apply to Bakhtiari. He has not taken part in a single practice for the Packers at any point this offseason.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur provided some update on if Bakhtiari will be ready for camp.

"“Time will tell,” said Packers head coach Matt LaFleur on if Bakhtiari will be back in time for the start of training camp. “We fully anticipate him being ready to go, but we did last year, as well. So I think time will tell. But we feel good about the work that he’s put in and where he’s at.”"

Green Bay should be the favorite to win the NFC North again this season, but not having one of their better players on the field for another extended stretch could make things challenging for them.

Green Bay Packers should be very concerned about David Bakhtiari’s knee injury

When Bakhtiari is out there, he is one of the very best left tackles in football. He has been an All-Pro at the position and a perennial Pro Bowler. Tasked with keeping NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers upright, his emergence as a book-end had been a huge part in the Packers’ return to prominence under LaFleur. However, any extended absence makes the offensive line a tad worse.

In theory, Bakhtiari’s return would allow Jenkins to kick back inside, where he was a Pro Bowler. It would take more pressure of Tonyan as a blocker to be a bigger part of the receiving game. Of course, Green Bay should be a strong offense this fall anyway, regardless of how much Bakhtiari is able to contribute. If this injury continues to linger, perhaps retirement is a real discussion point?

Ultimately, the Packers are going to take every precaution to help get Bakhtiari on the field. Even if he does not participate in a single drill during the offseason program, he is a no-doubt starter at left tackle if he is physically good enough to be out there. Then again, for the money, Green Bay may have to look to move off him if it is yet another injury-plagued season for the former All-Pro.

Green Bay is a considerably better football team when Bakhtiari is starting games at left tackle.