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Bakhtiari played 27 total snaps in 2021 but fluid around the
joint forced him back to the sideline.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said "time will tell" whether
the offensive line can be a strength in 2022. Standout guard and
fill-in left tackle Elgton Jenkins is also sidelined to start
camp recovering from a torn ACL in 2021.
Nineteen months removed from a torn ACL, Bakhtiari will open
training camp on the physically unable to perform list and
remain idle until he passes a physical. He has had three
surgeries on his left knee since December 2020 and described
recovery as a "nightmare."
Gutekunst said the initial injury was "much more than just an
ACL" and credited Bakhtiari for "working his tail off" to be
this close to game action.
Even so, Gutekunst said it's not out of the realm of possibility
that the two-time All-Pro would land on the PUP list to start
the regular season, which necessitates a six-week stay on the
gameday inactive list.
Yosh Nijman opens training camp as the starter at left tackle,
but Gutekunst said the Packers are "cautiously optimistic"
Bakhtiari will be 100 percent by the start of the regular
season.
Gutekunst said wide receiver Sammy Watkins was placed on the
training camp PUP list but would be on the field "very soon."
--Field Level Media
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