Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari hasn’t seen much time on the field since Week 16 of the 2020 season. Three knee surgeries since have slowed his return.

But on Monday, Bakhtiari practiced in team drills for the first time in 2022. He told Rob Demovsky of ESPN that he believes it is realistic for him to start the season opener Sunday against the Vikings.

Bakhtiari tore his left ACL on Dec. 31, 2020, and has not practiced or played much since. He saw 27 snaps in the 2021 regular-season finale but then didn’t play in the postseason.

Demovsky asked Bakhtiari if he could play a full game.

“I can get through the season,” Bakhtiari said. “It’s going to be fine. You have to just manage while playing.

“I’m just getting back in the swing of things. So, I mean, I think there’s normal rust and then new normal with three surgeries, so just kind of working that out and figuring out what my routine is.”

Continue Reading @ Charean Williams 

Charean Williams wrote:

My only thoughts are, he better be ready! The Packers should be at the point now where they have to throw him out there and see what he’s got.

He’s been out for such a long period of time, what’s resting him for another week or two going to do? He needs to go out there and play and see if he can still be a contributor for us. I say enough with babying it!

Originally Posted by: go.pack.go. 

I'm starting to think that we will never see Bakh on the field again for the Packers.
That's a hell of a contract to have to swallow!

Originally Posted by: yooperfan 

We keep hearing "he's almost ready!" And then he's not playing.
At this point, the Packers better realize he's no longer the answer and figure out who will protect Rodgers blind side.

Originally Posted by: Cheesey 

Agreed, I think he has to be out there next week or the week after at worst. Like I said before the Vikings game, we have to see what he can do. At this point, I don’t see how an extra week is going to make that big of a difference in his health. He’s been out for so long, what the hell is resting him another week going to do?

Originally Posted by: go.pack.go.