Packers: Did David Bakhtiari suffer setback to knee injury?

Green Bay Packers fans have been waiting patiently for the return of All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari, knowing his importance to this team.

However, Bakhtiari has now missed three straight practices, leading many to question whether there has been any setback on his recovery from a torn ACL. Prior to this, he had been practicing regularly.

As we would expect, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur didn’t say too much when asked the question on Thursday.

“It’s day to day, it’s part of the process,” LaFleur said. “He’s coming off a major injury. We’re trying to put him in the best possible position for when he does return.”

As a follow-up question, LaFleur was asked whether there’s a possibility Bakhtiari won’t return this season.

“I sure as heck hope he’s able to go at some point. Like I said, day to day,” LaFleur said.

I mean, it’s possible LaFleur is just playing down the question, but that’s hardly a convincing answer. Hope?

Well, there is potentially some more encouraging news. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was asked about Bakhtiari’s status on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’, and he doesn’t believe there have been any setbacks.

“They think he is going to play at some point this year,” Rapoport said. “The problem is he got injured so late.”

Bakhtiari tore his ACL at practice on December 31 last year.

“I believe he’ll be back in December. I don’t believe there’s been a setback,” Rapoport added.

OK, that’s more reassuring.

The Packers do tend to be ultra conservative when it comes to bringing players back from injury, and in this case it makes a ton of sense. Green Bay is atop the NFC with an 8-2 record with a huge cushion in the NFC North. Bakhtiari is coming off a significant injury.

The Packers need Bakhtiari for the playoffs and need to know he’s 100 percent ready before he comes back.