Left tackle David Bakhtiari was back at practice in a limited capacity as the Green Bay Packers began on-field prep for the season finale against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Bakhtiari hasn’t played all season and hasn’t practiced with the team since November. He returned on Wednesday, and coach Matt LaFleur said he would go through individual periods and possibly even participate in the team’s walk-through.
The Packers listed the practice as a walk-through, so participation overall was estimated.
The door remains open for Bakhtiari to make his season debut on Sunday, but LaFleur and the Packers probably won’t tip their hand and will remain cautious. He is just returning to the practice field again after a significant injury and a long recovery, which was extended by a necessary clean procedure.
The big questions loom: If Bakhtiari doesn’t play Sunday, would he be ready in time for the postseason? And would the Packers play him without him being on the field for a single snap in the regular season?
LaFleur’s team listed five other players on the initial injury report of the week:
LB De’Vondre Campbell, elbow, limited
TE Dominique Dafney, ankle, limited
RB Aaron Jones, knee, limited
QB Aaron Rodgers, toe, DNP
DL Kingsley Keke, illness, DNP
Campbell’s injury is a new one and worth monitoring this week. Dafney, Jones and Rodgers are dealing with lingering injuries but should play Sunday, while Keke just came off the COVID-19 reserve list and is still attempting to recover from the illness.
Right tackle Billy Turner (knee) and cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder) weren’t listed on the injury report because both players are on the COVID-19 reserve list. Neither was center Josh Myers, who was designated for return from injured reserve on Tuesday but isn’t on the active roster. The same goes for receiver Randall Cobb (core). It will be tough to know if any of the four players will be ready to play Sunday until later in the week.
The Lions listed quarterback Jared Goff as limited with a knee injury, making it possible he’ll play in the season finale. If he can’t, former Packers backup Tim Boyle would get the start.
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