The Green Bay Packers are holding their annual Family Night festivities on Saturday night. During this event, tens of thousands of Packers fans flock to Lambeau Field to watch the team hold a training camp practice session. As is the case for all training camp practices, there are several players who are not participating for one reason or another.
Of course, Rashan Gary and Eric Stokes, who are still recovering from season-ending injuries in 2022, are not participating as they work their way back to form. Grant DuBose, a 2023 seventh round NFL Draft pick, has yet to participate due to a back injury and remains out for Family Night.
Two players, though, that are not participating, that have raised concerns among fans are David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins.
Should Green Bay Packers Fans Be Worried About David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins Not Participating
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Matt Schneidman of The Athletic shared the whole list of Packers players that are not participating in practice for Family Night:
Packers not practicing on Family Night:
– David Bakhtiari (hasn’t practiced since Tuesday)
– Elgton Jenkins (first practice missed)
– Rashan Gary (PUP, knee)
– Eric Stokes (PUP, foot)
– Grant DuBose (NFI, back)
– Josiah Deguara (calf)
– Jake Hanson (elbow)
– Lew Nichols (?)— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 6, 2023
Bakhtiari exited Tuesday’s practice early and has not practiced since. The team gave no reason for his absence on the field ahead of or during Family Night.
This is the first practice Jenkins has missed since training camp started.
The question is: should Packers fans be worried? After all, both Jenkins and Bakhtiari have had knee injuries in the past.
The answer, though, is “no.” Packers fans should not be worried. Earlier this week LaFleur said of Bakhtiari:
“We all know, everybody in here knows, we’re a better offense when he’s out there on the field. He’s one of the better LTs in the league. We’ve got to do whatever we can to get him to Sundays.”
This means that, at times, Bakhtiari will be given days off that other players otherwise would not be given. The important thing is to keep him healthy for and during the season.
While a good portion of the offense, specifically Jordan Love and the pass catchers, need to get as many reps in as possible, Bakhtiari does not have that need. A seasoned veteran, he does not need as much practice to get the playbook down.
He already has it down.
As for Jenkins, this is likely nothing more than a scheduled day off. As Green Bay moves forward with Love as their quarterback, they need to protect the left side of the offensive line. Holding them out of a few practices is the best way to do that.
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