It’s amazing how quickly a strength becomes a weakness in the NFL. After not being next to each other for nearly two years, the left side of the Green Bay Packers offensive line appeared primed for a big reunion tour this season. Both David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins, already among the most decorated linemen in franchise history, were finally recovered from major knee surgeries, in the case of Bakhtiari, multiple procedures (not to mention an emergency appendectomy) and ready to pave the way for Jordan Love’s young cast of playmakers.
Some red flags starting going up when Bakhtiari was given what I’ve called The Big Dog Treatment in training camp. Former tight end Marcedes Lewis was afforded the luxury of regular days of rest to keep his near 40 year old body ready for Sundays and it worked just fine for the Big Dog. To ensure Bakhtiari would be able to suit up and perform on game days, the Packers allowed him multiple days off during training camp and he hasn’t taken part in a team, padded practice since camp ended. He made it through the Chicago Bears opener but by the end of the practice week leading up to the Atlanta game, Bakhtiari apparently dealing with swelling in the knee leading the Packers to deactivate him for the Falcons game at the last minute. There’s been some speculation in the social media circles that Bakthiari was reluctant to put the repaired knee through the paces on the Mercedes-Benz artificial surface, especially after he was openly critical of the league’s allowance of turf at many of it’s venues. Head Coach Matt LaFleur has been asked repeatedly about Bakhtiari’s practice or playing status for almost a year and a half and it’s getting tiresome. So much so, when his status and injury condition was brought up Monday, LaFleur reached his limit.
As for Jenkins, he was sporting a full length brace on his left leg in the locker room Monday after confirming he suffered an MCL sprain in his left knee in the second quarter against the Falcons. It happened when running back A.J. Dillon rolled up on the leg. Jenkins gritted his teeth for a couple more snaps before coming out of the game. While a sprained ligament wouldn’t need a surgical repair, it takes time to heal on it’s own, usually between two and four weeks.
So instead of having two of the league’s best on the left side, the Packers have to press on with second year tackle Rasheed Walker and fourth year guard Royce Newman. While the understudy pair held up OK against the Falcons, it’s less than ideal for the next month.
The Packers play New Orleans in their home opener Sunday and have a short week before the Lions come to town next Thursday night. It’s not inconceivable Bakhtiari would play in one but not both. After a mini-bye, Green Bay travels to Las Vegas for a Monday night game before their actual bye week. LaFleur and the medical staff will have to try make things right on the left side of the line by then.
