Aaron Rodgers drops a major injury update on return of Packers star
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has given a little insight into why offensive tackle David Bakhtiari was absent from Sunday's game against the Commanders.
The 31-year-old left tackle did not suit up against Washington after it seemed like he was on the comeback trail. From playing a full game, to then being on a pitch count against the Giants, Bakhtiari did not play on Sunday. He suffered an ACL injury and it seems it is still giving him grief.
Rodgers was on his weekly spot on The Pat McAfee Show and said that he did not know his left tackle wasn't playing until 90 minutes beofre the game. He also stated that he "hopes" the 31-year-old will suit up against the Bills on Sunday night.
Rodgers said:
“ I didn’t know until 90 minutes before. I didn’t know until they out the inactives in. I knew he was going through some things, but I thought he was going to play and he went out to test, couldn’t get it done in pregame, so they put him down. So I found out just about when everybody else found out.
"I didn't know until 90 minutes before the game that Bakhtiari wasn't playing.. I feel like it's a real possibility that he plays this Sunday" ~@AaronRodgers12
#PMSLive #ART https://t.co/upnIaumt65
“I’m, I don’t know, I’m going to let him speak for himself, but I feel like I’m going to manifest him coming back and playing this weekend. I feel like it’s a real possibility."
With the Packers struggling and sitting at 3-4 on the year, Rodgers needs all of his big-time players to be there. Unfortunately, his left tackle might be hit and miss for the reason of the season.
Rodgers and Packers face uphill battle to make the playoffs
Green Bay is already two games behind the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North and Kirk Cousins' team holds the tie-breaker as well. So things need to get sorted on offense, and quick.
The hole that Davante Adams left when he swapped Green Bay for Las Vegas was thought to be filled with a "receiver by committee" type of approach. That hasn't worked and the Packers now find themselves in freefall.
Losing three of their last four games is unchartered territory for Green Bay, having lost just three games each season since 2019. This is not what Rodgers and head coach Matt LaFleur had in mind for 2022.
There is still time to steady the ship, but the Packers are quickly running out of time.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit The Pat McAfee Show and H/T Sportskeeda.