Matt LaFleur considers David Bakhtiari's situation "fluid"
The Green Bay Packers start of the season is fast approaching and fans are eager to learn more about the health of their All-Pro left tackle. Head coach Matt LaFleur, however, was cryptic when asked about how he plans to monitor David Bakhtiari's usage in the weeks ahead. "I think it's going to be fluid. […]
The Green Bay Packers start of the season is fast approaching and fans are eager to learn more about the health of their All-Pro left tackle.
Head coach Matt LaFleur, however, was cryptic when asked about how he plans to monitor David Bakhtiari's usage in the weeks ahead.
"I think it's going to be fluid. I think we've learned that by now" LaFleur said. "It will be fluid."
In terms of getting Bakhtiari geared up and ready for the season opener on September 10, what exactly does "fluid" really mean?
For starters, the 31-year-old was again absent from practice today, as confirmed by Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. This continues the constant in-and-out cycle the Packers have be managing throughout the entire offseason with Bakhtiari.
The Packers would obviously like to get Bakhtiari the amount of reps he needs before he is set to face off against the Chicago Bears in the season opener next Sunday but the team clearly wants to continue playing this situation the smart way. The solution is far from a simple one.
Since tearing his ACL on December 31, 2020, Bakhtiari has continued to be plagued by ailments in his knee. Speaking with NBC Sports’ Peter King earlier this month, Bakhtiari personally went into more depth about what he's been dealing with in his recovery.
"I mean, this year is definitely night and day compared to last year," he detailed. "I was just trying not to drown, is the best way to put it. A lot of times, I felt like I was going into games with like one hand strapped behind my back."
Bakhtiari started in 11 games for the Packers last season and was on the field for 84% of the team's offensive snaps. Even with "one had strapped behind his back," Bakhtiari ranked first in the league in pass blocking against the blitz and fifth in overall pass blocking, according to Pro Football Focus.
Bakhtiari's impact on the Packers' offense cannot be overstated enough. Now, as the "oldest guy and longest tenured" player on the roster, the impact is even higher for the younger players around him. LaFleur and the Packers will continue to be cautious with his recovery, something that should be expected to continue throughout the season.
Packers’ David Bakhtiari doesn’t hold back about his participation in OTAs
Either way, the Packers are happy to have him at OTAs.
Featured image via Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY
