The Green Bay Packers have been plagued with injuries to begin the season and before their Week 4 NFC North matchup against the Detroit Lions, they announced All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari has been officially placed on Injured Reserve, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
The #Packers are placing All-Pro LT David Bakhtiari on Injured Reserve, knocking him out at least the next four games, per me and @TomPelissero. But given his knee situation, it’s unclear when or if Bakhtiari will return this season. pic.twitter.com/l6A2iDAE3N
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 28, 2023
This means Bakhtiari will be forced to miss the next four games at a minimum. Their next four games are tonight against the Detroit Lions, on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders and home against the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers also have their bye week in between their two road games so the next time we can see him on the field would be on Nov. 5 at home against the Los Angeles Rams.
This massive blow is going to put more pressure on quarterback Jordan Love as he is not going to be on the field to protect Love’s blindside. It will be an interesting situation to see with the knee injury if Bakhtiari is even able to return this season for the Green Bay Packers.
Who will fill the left tackle spot for the Green Bay Packers?
The Packers have been forced to depend on the depth a little more than they were hoping for as they have been snakebitten with injuries on the offensive side of the football. It is incredibly difficult to replace a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro left tackle but that is something Green Bay may have to do for the entire season.
Joe Hermitt/jhermitt@pennlive.com
Replacing Bakhtiari in the starting lineup will be former seventh-round draft pick in the 2022 NFL draft Rasheed Walker. Walker has played four games (three this season) for the Packers and has done a serviceable job. Despite the injury suffered in Week 1 by Bakhtiari, the Packers’ offensive line has been phenomenal in pass-block situations as Pro Football Focus has given them a grade of 93.9, which leads the NFL.
This is going to be an interesting situation as the timing of David Bakhtiari going on Injured Reserve seems to be a shock to a lot of people. However, things are going to be interesting at Lambeau Field throughout the season. This could mean something is going to be brewing in the trade market as the Packers have playoff aspirations with a 2-1 record and are tied for the NFC North lead.
As of this writing, they have not elevated any other linemen from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, meaning Rasheed Walker is the only left tackle available for Thursday Night Football.
