PACKERS’ BAKHTIARI OUT WITH KNEE TEAR
Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari will miss the rest of the season after the three-time Pro Bowl selection injured his knee in practice Thursday, which according to multiple reports is believed to be a torn ACL.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur confirmed the severity of the injury Friday. The injury comes six weeks after the standout left tackle agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth up to $105.5 million with a $30 million signing bonus.
“It’s just one of those unfortunate, freak things that happens sometimes in practice,” LaFleur said. “It was certainly nobody’s fault. It was a freaky deal, and you know, it’s tough to replace a guy of his caliber. I mean, you’re talking about a premier left tackle in this league.”
The injury was first reported by NFL Network.
Bakhtiari played a major role in helping the Packers (12-3) win a second straight NFC North title and and score a league-leading 31.6 points per game. The 2013 fourth-round pick from Colorado was one of seven Packers selected to the Pro Bowl last week.
He was a first-team Associated Press All-Pro in 2018 and a second-team selection in 2016, 2017 and 2019.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Friday he was “still kind of in the grieving process” after learning Bakhtiari wouldn’t return this season.
“It’s tough to see a guy go down at practice like that,” Rodgers said. “You’re hoping for the best. I got a call from him yesterday late in the afternoon. I was hoping for some good news, didn’t get it. You’ve got to move on, but right now it’s still a little raw. We’re still sad and hurting for Dave just because it’s our brother and it’s our left tackle, our teammate. It’s been a tough time for us.”
Bakhtiari missed three games earlier this season with broken ribs.
Bakhtiari’s injury will force Green Bay to shuff le its offensive line once again as it heads to Chicago (8-7) in a game with major implications for both teams.
Green Bay can earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs plus a first-round bye if it beats or ties the Bears, or if San Francisco (6-9) beats or ties Seattle (11-4). Chicago can clinch a playoff berth with a victory.
During those three games, Green Bay adapted by moving usual right tackle Billy Turner over to the left side and having Rick Wagner enter at right tackle. Green Bay went 2-1 during that stretch with victories at Houston and San Francisco sandwiching a home loss to Minnesota.
Complicating matters this time: Wagner suffered a knee injury Sunday in a 40-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
LaFleur said Friday that “we think he’s going to be good to go” for the Bears game.
Kamara on COVID list
The New Orleans Saints have placed running back Alvin Kamara, who leads the club in both yards rushing and receiving, on their COVID-19 reserve list.
The move means Kamara is unavailable for Sunday’s regular-season finale at Carolina and also could miss the Saints’ first playoff game if New Orleans is unable to move up to the NFC’s top seed.
Chark will miss finale
The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without receiver DJ Chark for their season finale at Indianapolis on Sunday, leaving them to try to end a 14-game losing streak without their best two players.
Coach Doug Marrone ruled out Chark (shin) on Friday, two days after saying running back James Robinson would miss the game because of a badly sprained left ankle.