Packers Place David Bakhtiari on Injured Reserve Following Season-Ending Surgery
GREEN BAY, Wis. – David Bakhtiari was placed on injured reserve on Thursday, the latest setback from a devastating knee injury potentially ending the Green Bay Packers five-time All-Pro left tackle’s decade run of excellence with the team.
On Thursday night, about an hour before the Packers were scheduled to kick off their game against the Detroit Lions, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Bakhtiari had arthroscopic surgery on the knee, a “precursor” to a more significant surgery aimed at alleviating the cartilage problem that has plagued Bakhtiari throughout the comeback.
Those surgeries will end Bakhtiari’s season after one game. According to Rapoport, Bakhtiari does not want to retire and hopes these surgeries will get him back on the field – preferably with the Packers – for next season.
Next season will be Bakhtiari's final year under contract. He has a $40.58 million cap charge; moving on would save the team about half that figure.
Rasheed Walker will make his third career start against the formidable Lions.
Following the torn ACL sustained at practice on Dec. 31, 2020, there was real optimism that Bakhtiari was ready to start the next phase of his career. Having an entire offseason to train for football rather than rehab from surgery, Bakhtiari was confident that his worst days were behind him.
While he practiced only sporadically during training camp, especially the second half of camp, Bakhtiari delivered a vintage performance during the Week 1 victory over the Bears. He delivered spotless pass protection in helping Jordan Love throw three touchdown passes in his big debut.
Following the team’s first touchdown, he even got on the ground for a unique touchdown dance.
Photo by Mark Hoffman/USA Today Sports Images
“I was having a hell of a time,” Bakhtiari said in the victorious locker room. “I know I’m closer to the end than the beginning, so I’m going to cherish every moment I’ve got. I’m having fun with these young guys. I’ve also got to be hip. I’ve got to keep my ear to the streets and let them know I’ve still got it and I’ve still got to pop it.”
Afterward, Bakhtiari said he felt fine. He scoffed at the notion that, with his level of wisdom and experience, he needed to practice. That save-him-for-Sunday mentality worked with former Packers left tackle Chad Clifton, whose career was derailed by Warren Sapp’s infamous cheap shot at Tampa Bay. It even worked for Bakhtiari last season, when he didn’t allow a sack in 11 games.
“It’s not the most common thing,” Bakhtiari said of his routine. “Would I love to [practice]? Yeah. I love practicing, but it’s what is to be at our best and what’s the most important. Being out there setting an example is important, but if that ever does take away from the games …
“It’s like, ‘Let’s just do what’s smart off the bat. Let’s get it right. Let’s not mess anything up.’ I’m like, ‘All right, cool.’ We’re all bought in, we’re all on the same page.”
It’s all gone up in smoke, though. Following a terrific Week 1 performance, Bakhtiari didn’t play in Week 2 at Atlanta. Was that because the game was on turf? Then, Bakhtiari didn’t play on Sunday against New Orleans. Was that because of the quick turnaround to a big division game? And now, Bakhtiari – destined to be inactive for a third consecutive game – is headed to injured reserve.
To fill the roster spot, the Packers promoted linebacker Kristian Welch from the practice squad. The Wisconsin native, who was signed to the practice squad on Aug. 31, was a special-teams standout for the Baltimore Ravens in 43 career games.
Starting linebacker De'Vondre Campbell is out for Thursday with an ankle injury, so Welch will provide emergency depth while not playing on special teams.
More Green Bay Packers News
Packers transactions: What they mean for Thursday’s game
Packers-Lions: Three reasons for optimism
