Matt LaFleur recently said the Green Bay Packers are worried about one starter’s future with the team after an injury report was released last week. Packers starting left tackle David Bakhtiari has been out since Week 1 of this season due to a knee injury. It’s the same problem that has kept him sidelined for much of the past couple of seasons.
David Bakhtiari had another surgery last week
The Packers knew Bakhtiari would be “fluid” before this season. However, Bakhtiari underwent surgery last week and will have another shortly to repair the injury. The hope is that their All-Pro offensive lineman can play for the entire 2024 season.
The Packers have not ruled out Bakhtiari returning at some point this season. LaFleur said earlier this week he’d left Bakhtiari to tell the press what his plans were for the rest of the 2023 season. However, LaFleur gave his honest thoughts on the situation with Rich Eisen on his show this week.
Green Bay Packers: Matt LaFleur “concerned” about LT
According to a transcription of LaFleur’s answer by Michael David Smith of NBC Sports, LaFleur said he’s “very concerned” about Bakhtiari’s status going forward:
Asked by Rich Eisen whether he thinks he’ll get Bakhtiari back and his level of concern, LaFleur said the level of concern is high because of how long Bakhtiari has been plagued by knee issues.
“I’m very concerned because this is year three of this now,” LaFleur said. “Obviously, very concerned. When he played against Chicago Week One, he was playing at an elite level with not a lot of practice. That just speaks to the kind of player that he is. He knows how to get his body and mind prepared mentally to go out there and compete at a high level. Any time you don’t have a Pro Bowler like him in the lineup, it is a concern.”
That was an honest and sobering quote given by LaFleur. The Packers are worried Bakhtiari will never be at full strength for an entire season.
Bakhtiari’s ability to play at an elite level has never been a question since he has played following the 2020 injury. But it doesn’t help the Packers to keep a roster spot open if Bakhtiari can only play a handful of games each season.
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