The Green Bay Packers recently provided an unfortunate injury update on their left tackle, David Bakhtiari. During a press conference on September 18, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that Bakhtiari has suffered a knee injury. This news has sparked speculation about the cause of his absence from the team’s recent game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Rumors circulated that Bakhtiari’s absence was due to concerns about playing on the Falcons’ indoor turf field. These rumors were fueled by comments Bakhtiari made following a previous injury suffered by New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers on turf. Bakhtiari expressed frustration with artificial turf and called for its removal in favor of natural grass.
Adding to the speculation, Bakhtiari’s brother, Eric Bakhtiari, posted a meme suggesting that David chose to sit out the game in protest and to protect his knee. However, Coach LaFleur has stated that Bakhtiari’s absence was solely due to his knee injury and not related to the turf surface.
It remains uncertain how seriously to take the actions of Bakhtiari’s brother on social media and whether LaFleur’s comments are intended to protect Bakhtiari from potential backlash regarding turf conditions. Future matchups will likely shed light on the situation, especially if Bakhtiari is healthy enough to return to action, particularly on other turf fields.
In further unfortunate news, the Packers’ left guard, Elgton Jenkins, also suffered an injury in the game against the Falcons. Jenkins has a sprained MCL in his left knee and is expected to miss several games. When asked about the potential turf-related cause of his injury, Jenkins expressed that he felt it had something to do with the turf, but acknowledged that it was a combination of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
These injuries to two key offensive linemen are a significant blow to the Packers’ offense, which has been performing well in the early part of the season. The team has already been dealing with injuries to wide receiver Christian Watson and running back Aaron Jones.
Despite the setbacks, the Packers have managed to score 62 total points in the first two games, averaging 31 points per contest. The team’s offensive line has been a crucial factor in their success, and their absence will undoubtedly pose a challenge moving forward.
The Packers will play on turf four more times this season, including games against the Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, and Minnesota Vikings. It remains to be seen how the team will navigate these games without Bakhtiari and Jenkins and how their absence will impact the overall performance of the offense.
In conclusion, the Green Bay Packers have encountered an unfortunate injury update regarding their left tackle, David Bakhtiari. Coach LaFleur has confirmed that Bakhtiari has an injured knee and dismissed rumors that his absence was related to playing on turf. Additionally, left guard Elgton Jenkins suffered a sprained MCL in his knee. These injuries present a significant challenge for the Packers’ offense moving forward, especially considering their upcoming games on turf fields.
