Packers star tackle David Bakhtiari could make return in Week 1

Since tearing his ACL on New Year’s Eve 2020, star left tackle David Bakhtiari has only been active for one game for the Green Bay Packers.

He continued to work his way back from injury this past offseason and spent part of training camp on the physically unable to perform list.

But Bakhtiari could be good to go in the Packers’ season opener against the Minnesota Vikings this week.

According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Bakhtiari has been participating in 11-on-11 drills at practice, which is a great sign. Demovsky added that Bakhtiari believes he could play this Sunday afternoon against the Vikings.

This would, undoubtedly, give the Packers’ offensive line a significant boost.

Bakhtiari had been named an All-Pro five years in a row before the injury cost him all but one game in the 2021 season. The Packers have missed him, particularly in the postseason. He has been unavailable for the previous two playoff runs.

It remains unclear whether Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins, who is set to play right tackle this year, will be cleared to return in Week 1. He, too, is returning from a season-ending knee injury.

If Bakhtiari and Jenkins aren’t quite ready for Week 1, Yosh Nijman would likely start at left tackle, and the Packers could go with either Royce Newman or rookie Zach Tom at right tackle.

If Bakhtiari plays and Jenkins is out, we can assume Nijman would start at right tackle.

We’ll learn more as the week goes on, but it’s encouraging to hear that Bakhtiari has been participating in team drills.

It’s a big step in the right direction and could be a sign that Bakhtiari is on track to play in Green Bay’s season opener.

Bakhtiari’s status will be one of the key stories to follow this week, especially when the team’s first injury report is released on Wednesday.