With Rodgers back, Packers OL must stave off Panthers’ rush
The Green Bay Packers’ offensive line is ready to protect Aaron Rodgers, just in time for a final three-week playoff push.
When Rodgers returns from a broken collarbone on Sunday against Carolina, he will take snaps behind an offensive line that has stabilized following an injury-filled start to the season.
It is more important than ever to keep the two-time NFL MVP clean and upright.
Coach Mike McCarthy “says your best lines are the ones that get to play next to each other week in and week out, to build that chemistry and consistency,” left tackle David Bakhtiari said this week.
After Rodgers, he might be the offense’s next most indispensable player. Healthy again after missing four games in September and October because of a hamstring injury, Bakhtiari has settled back into his role as trusted, blind-side protector.
They’ll need him to be at his best against Carolina ends Mario Addison and Julius Peppers, who each have 9½ sacks.
“David Bakhtiari is having a heck of a year,” McCarthy said before practice Thursday. “The ability to put him on a matchup — and he’s got a huge matchup this week ... and have him to be successful gives us the flexibility to maybe help somewhere else.”
Instability up front hurt the Packers early in the season. Bakhtiari hurt his hamstring in the season opener and missed the next four games before returning in Week 6 at Minnesota.
With right tackle Bryan Bulaga also coming back that game from an ankle injury, that week marked the first time all season that the Packers had their starting offensive line intact.
Then Rodgers went down in the first quarter in the loss to Minnesota, landing on his throwing arm after taking a hard hit outside the pocket from blitzing linebacker Anthony Barr.
Green Bay went 3-4 with backup quarterback Brett Hundley, managing to stay alive in the playoff race while they awaited Rodgers’ return.
He’ll come back to face a Panthers defense that is tied for third in the league with 40 sacks and a familiar face in Peppers, who spent the three previous years in Green Bay.
McCarthy said that Rodgers “looked like himself” on Wednesday in the quarterback’s first practice since being medically cleared the previous night. Rodgers’ routine has built up gradually since he returned to practice on Dec. 2.