Matt LaFleur gives concerning injury update for Packers offense

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur did not have a promising update regarding two of his starting offensive linemen.

The Green Bay Packers preseason is done with, and they now have to cut down the roster to 53 players by the Tuesday, Aug. 30 deadline. It will be interesting to see what the offense will look like, especially at wide receiver. However, the offensive line has question marks as well, as both starting tackles David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins are recovering from injuries.

On Saturday, Aug. 27, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur revealed during a media session that he has “no idea” if Bakhtiari or Jenkins will be ready for the team’s Week 1 game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Matt LaFleur has ‘no idea’ if David Bakhtiari or Elgton Jenkins will play Week 1

While both players were removed from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, neither have practiced just yet. Hence why LaFleur said that he is not sure of their status for Week 1.

Bakhtiari tore his ACL late in the 2020 season, forcing him to miss all but one game in 2021, which happened to be against the Detroit Lions in Week 17. However, he was not activated for the team’s NFC Divisional Round game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Jenkins, much like Bakhtiari, suffered a torn ACL. The injury occurred in Week 11 last season.

Not having either starting offensive tackle for the Packers is far from ideal, especially of the caliber of Bakhtiari and Jenkins. They are playing the Vikings, who will have former Packers linebacker Za’Darius Smith trying to get to quarterback Aaron Rodgers off the edge.

Besides the offensive line, there is Green Bay’s new wide receiving corps that will be without Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. How will they perform in the first game of the season?

The statuses of both Bakthiari and Jenkins will be worth monitoring heading into the season. If they are unable to play in Week 1, keep your eyes peeled for the ensuing weeks.