The Green Bay Packers should get back left tackle David Bakhtiari in time for Sunday’s showdown with the Minnesota Vikings.
Coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Bakhtiari is expected to be available after missing three straight games while recovering from surgery.
“I fully expect Dave to play,” LaFleur said Friday.
Bakhtiari had an emergency appendectomy before the Packers’ visit to Chicago on Dec. 3. He missed games against the Bears, Los Angeles Rams and Miami Dolphins.
With a month of healing and a few practices under his belt this week, Bakhtiari should return to play left tackle against the Vikings in Week 17.
It’s unclear if rookie Zach Tom, who played well in his three starts in place of Bakhtiari at left tackle, will remain a starter at another position along the offensive line on Sunday. Right tackle Yosh Nijman is still recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in Miami.
Having Bakhtiari back on the left side should help the Packers’ protection against veteran edge rushers Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter, who both have 10 sacks and have combined for 20.5 sacks this season.
While Bakhtiari is expected to return, LaFleur was much less certain about the availability of rookie receiver Christian Watson (hip) and returner Keisean Nixon (groin). Neither player practiced on Wednesday or Thursday.
“We will see,” LaFleur said. “If he can go, we’ll move him into practice (on Friday). Same goes for Keisean as well.”
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