When we try to envision what the Green Bay Packers will look like when they line up to begin the 2022 season, most of us see David Bakhtiari back in place at his familiar left tackle spot. We also assume he will immediately resume being his usual elite level, all pro performer. After all, it will have been more than a year and a half since he tore his ACL in a freak incident during practice in December of 2020. 

Yet that is an assumption that is not safe to make. It is worrisome that Bakh tried to come back multiple times last season, only to be thwarted by a repeated build-up of fluid on the knee. Then in November, doctors discovered additional cartilage damage that required another operation. Wanting desperately to be ready for the playoffs, Bakh did return to the field for the final regular season game, playing just 27 snaps in a loss to the Lions. 

The knee did not respond well. “Four or five days after the Detroit game, we end up pulling 88 cc’s (of fluid) out”, Bakhtiari told CHTV’s Aaron Nagler. “I’m like, this is a (expletive) nightmare. This thing won’t end.” Despite a first round bye, giving the knee an extra week to rest, Bakh was still unable to play in the crushing post season loss to the 49ers. 

“People don’t understand the fluid thing” the tenth year veteran explained shortly after the season ended. “Talk to any nurse or doctor. I had one nurse tell me that was the most fluid she had ever pulled out of someone’s knee.”  Bakhtiari, who is a two-time first team all pro, did emphasize he has no long term concerns about the soundness of the joint. He feels sure another offseason of rest and recovery will solve the problem. 

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