The Packers got back at it Sunday with a 75 minute helmets and shoulder pads practice on Ray Nitschke Field. It’s the last week of the Pre-Season with the Pack traveling to Kansas City to play the Chiefs on Thursday night but it was also a huge first day of team practice for All Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari.
David Bakhtiari dons pads for the first time.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur led off his pre-practice media session by announcing Bakhtiari has been elevated from the Physically Unable to Perform list. He’s still going to be limited to individual drills for the time being but considering all that Bakhtiari has gone through since New Year’s Eve of 2020, it is a significant step. Bakhtiari tore his ACL in a non-contact drill on the practice field on December 31 of 2020 as the Packers were preparing for the regular season finale against the Chicago Bears. While they beat the Bears and survived the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game without him, the Packers feel to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship on the their home field, a step away from the Super Bowl. Following his rehabilitation from the initial reconstruction surgery in January of 2021, the Packers placed him of the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list in late August. He came off the PUP list in November but remained on the inactive list for seven games. In the season’s final game against the Lions at Ford Field, Bakhtiari played a total of 27 snaps and the hope was he’d be ready for a full time return in the post-season. It never happened and as it turned out, Bakhtiari suffered a setback with what he said today was a “cartilage” issue that would eventually lead to another surgical procedure. In the spring of this year, it was disclosed Bakhtiari underwent a third operation. The nature of which Bakhtiari didn’t want to discuss, only saying it was “a clean-up”. Now, he’s back again and he’s hoping it’s for good.
He showed impressive drive in the individual run blocking drills early in practice and even displayed some positional flexibility handling shotgun snaps when all five linemen were working combination blocks.
Backfield of the future? David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins play QB and RB in OL drill.
After practice, as you’d expect, Bakhtiari was front and center before a host of microphones and cameras to talk about his long awaited return from the lonely rehabilitation group to the full team practice.
The veteran’s return wasn’t the only big step taken. 2nd round draft choice Christian Watson, who came off the PUP list a week ago, participated in team drills for the first time since the spring OTA’s. Watson dressed and warmed up against the Saints last week even though he hadn’t yet been cleared to play. He was so excited about that step, unlike all the other veterans who didn’t dress and donned sweats or street clothes to watch from the sidelines, Watson kept his uniform and pads on for the whole game. He believes he’ll be ready to help when the season begins on September 11.
There may be safety in numbers but the defense is really down in numbers at safety. Even with Innis Gaines returning to practice off a hamstring pull, Darnell Savage, Vernon Scott, Dallin Leavitt and Tariq Carpenter remain sidelined. LaFleur said Scott will have further evaluations done on his shoulder. Shawn Davis took snaps alongside Adrian Amos with the starting defense with recent additions Micah Abernathy and De’Vante Cross getting into the mix.
Stops are still coming at practice regardless as the defense denied Aaron Rodgers and the offense a win in the two minute period. Randall Cobb got behind the defense for a big gain on one fourth down play but the D didn’t let it happen again to get the stop.
Another healing player, Mason Crosby, is getting closer too. He’s expected to start kicking footballs more regularly this week. It’s been a soccer ball and light football swings to this point. Ramiz Ahmed, who hit both his kicks against the Saints last Friday night, had another good day at practice today going 6 for 6.
LaFleur said there will be several more conversations with the starters about possibly seeing action at Arrowhead Stadium this week. He did say everyone will dress and least go through the process of pre-game warmups but the guess here is, most won’t go beyond that.
The NFL roster limit drops to 80 players this week and the Packers got a head start by releasing two on Sunday, outside linebacker Chauncey Manac and offensive lineman Ty Clary.
Fittingly, LaFleur called on Bakhtiari to break down the practice.
After a few choice words about being back with the boys at last, Bakhtiari had his teammates end practice with the chant, “1,2,3 -Championship!”
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