An injury during Tuesday’s training camp practice shined a frightening light on one of the Green Bay Packers’ biggest roster holes.
Down went left tackle David Bakhtiari, who – according to reporters on the scene – suffered an unspecified lower-body injury and was removed from 11-on-11 work during the practice. At this point, it’s unclear if the injury is anything notable. Coach Matt LaFleur wasn’t able to provide details immediately following practice.
With Bakhtiari out, in came backup Alex Light, who – according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic – promptly gave up a quick and easy pressure to seventh-round rookie Jonathan Garvin.
No one is going to perfectly replace a perennial All-Pro left tackle, but the Packers have to do better at a premium position.
While the Packers mix and match players attempting to figure out the right side of the offensive line, the depth behind Bakhtiari remains a pressing issue. There’s no guarantee that Light, an undrafted free agent who struggled mightily in relief of Bryan Bulaga in a few games last season, is the top backup. But he was the first off the bench on Tuesday.
In 2019, Light played 97 pass-blocking snaps and allowed 10 total pressures. He graded out as one of the NFL’s worst offensive tackles, per Pro Football Focus. If he’s the top option behind Bakhtiari, the Packers are playing with season-crippling fire.
On the right side, the Packers are shuffling through Billy Turner and Rick Wagner at right tackle. In a pinch, it’s possible one of the two could move to the left side. But this is another undesirable option. Wagner has played his entire career on the right side, and Turner, while more athletic, struggled against both power and quickness while playing inside at right guard last season.
LaFleur mentioned that left guard Elgton Jenkins, a rising star, is capable of playing any position along the line. There’s a chance he’d be the best option at left tackle if something serious happened to Bakhtiari. But again, Jenkins has the body type and playstyle of a traditional interior lineman and likely wouldn’t be nearly as effective as a player at left tackle.
The Packers think they have something in second-year offensive tackle Yosh Nijman, who will likely push for a roster spot. He’s never played in an NFL game. Rookie Jon Runyan played left tackle at Michigan, but the Packers made it clear they think guard is his best position.
GM Brian Gutekunst could always give Jared Veldheer a call if he’s desperate for veteran help. Veldheer saved the day at right tackle late in the 2019 season.
Finding quality help at offensive tackle isn’t easy, but the Packers haven’t made it a priority. The team has drafted a true offensive tackle since 2016, and that pick – Jason Spriggs – ended up being a big bust. Now, the team’s depth is non-existent behind Bakhtiari, who is scheduled to be a free agent following this season.
The offensive line can’t be one injury away from crumbling.
The Packers just better hope Bakhtiari is fine, and he stays healthy throughout the 2020 season.
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