There has been a lot of talk surrounding David Bakhtiari’s absence from the Green Bay Packers’ Week 2 loss against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The team has been consistent in saying that Bakhtiari’s absence was brought about by a knee injury, but still, some folks believe that the All-Pro tackle is sitting out games played on turf.
Bakhtiari has been very vocal about his disdain for artificial turf fields in the wake of Aaron Rodgers’ potentially season-ending Achilles tear, and it seems that his absence from Sunday’s defeat could have something to do with the same — at least in the mind of some fans.
No Firm Update on David Bakhtiari’s Knee Injury
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was faced with this very question on Wednesday as he addressed the press. According to the Green Bay shot-caller, there’s just nothing more than a minor knee injury here for his star tackle:
“His knee is injured. There was swelling,” LaFleur said, via Michael David Smith of PFT.
The Packers coach also did not provide an update on whether or not Bakhtiari will be available on Sunday when Green Bay takes on the New Orleans Saints in Week 3. At this point, we can consider the three-time Pro Bowler status as up in the air.
For what it’s worth, though, Green Bay’s Lambeau Field makes use of a combination of natural grass and artificial turf. It remains unknown if this has any sort of impact on Bakhtiari’s availability or his supposed willingness to suit up.
Green Bay Packers HC Matt LaFluer Snaps at Reporter
As mentioned previously, there is a palpable buzz surrounding this issue, which is why it isn’t surprising that reporters demanded more information from LaFleur.
When asked if he thought Bakhtiari would have played on Lambeau Field’s grass, the Green Bay shot-caller provided a straightforward response: “I don’t believe so.”
The media wasn’t done. Another reporter prodded with a follow-up question trying “to clarify” Bakhtiari’s status. It was at this point that LaFleur snapped:
“That’s it. Just to clarify, I’m done talking about it,” LaFleur said. “I’m not talking about it.”
And that was that.
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