Packers: David Bakhtiari return nears, activated from PUP list

The Green Bay Packers will soon have their All-Pro left tackle back.

The team announced on Wednesday that David Bakhtiari has been activated off the PUP list, which means he’s eligible to play this week against the Seattle Seahawks.

The move isn’t surprising, it was expected as Wednesday was the deadline for the Packers to activate Bakhtiari from the PUP list. This isn’t a guarantee that Bakhtiari actually will make his return on Sunday, but it’s clearly a sign the Packers are expecting him back out there very soon.

For the most part, Green Bay’s offensive line has been excellent this season without Bakhtiari, although the line had few answers for the Kansas City Chiefs’ blitzes last week.

Getting All-Pro Bakhtiari is huge for this offense.

How will offensive line look with David Bakhtiari back?

The question once Bakhtiari returns is where Elgton Jenkins plays. A move to right tackle is possible, but it doesn’t seem particularly likely given how well Billy Turner has played there the past two seasons. Maintaining continuity with Turner at tackle would make sense.

After all, it’s at the interior spots where the Packers have had the most trouble this season.

Royce Newman’s rookie year has been up and down. Jenkins replacing Newman at right guard could be the move, although Jenkins spent most of his time in recent years at left guard. Could Jenkins go back to left guard and Jon Runyan shift over to right guard?

With starting center Josh Myers out, maybe Jenkins covers there.

There are plenty of possibilities and each scenario could work.

If I were Matt LaFleur, I’d put Jenkins back at left guard, giving the Packers a rock-solid partnership on the left side of the offensive line. Runyan can move over to right guard with Lucas Patrick and Turner staying at center and right tackle respectively.

For me, that’s the best starting five. What are your thoughts?

Either way, getting Bakhtiari back will be huge.