The roster move everyone knew was coming arrived Saturday.
The Green Bay Packers placed left tackle David Bakhtiari on injured reserve and made three other associated roster moves before the team’s season finale against the Chicago Bears.
Bakhtiari, the team’s Pro Bowl left tackle, injured his knee at Thursday’s practice and will miss the rest of the season. Although players can return from injured reserve after missing three games this season, Bakhtiari’s injury is a significant one and could put his status for the start of next season in jeopardy.
With an open roster spot, the Packers promoted offensive lineman Ben Braden from the practice squad. This will be the second time this season that Braden has been signed from the practice squad to the active roster. He previously played in games against the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions, logging four snaps on offense and 13 on special teams.
The Packers also elevated veteran defensive lineman Brian Price from the practice squad to the gameday roster for Week 17 and replaced Braden on the practice squad with defensive lineman Anthony Rush, who was released to make room for Damon “Snacks” Harrison on Thursday.
A gameday elevation last week, Price played nine snaps on defense and one special teams snap against the Titans.
With Price, Rush and Harrison, the Packers should have ample depth along the defensive line.
[listicle id=54470]