Packers LT David Bakhtiari at the ‘halfway point’ of ACL recovery
"I'm about at the halfway point"@DavidBakhtiari chats about his ACL rehab & says he feels bad for all the shit he gave @BBulaga when he went through it twice #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/Kob7rM1scv
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 14, 2021
Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari believes he is about 50 percent done with his recovery from an ACL injury.
“I’m about at the halfway point,” Bakhtiari said during his interview on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday.
“It’s been really good. I’m really excited with the progress I’ve been making.”
Last year, Bakhtiari tore his ACL during a late December practice just before the team’s Week 17 game against the Chicago Bears. Bakhtiari subsequently missed the Packers’ postseason run, which ended at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game.
A couple of weeks ago, the All-Pro left tackle did individual rehab work off to the side of voluntary OTAs. Bakhtiari looked good in his first on-field appearance since the injury, as he was seen moving and putting weight on his knee just five months after surgery.
Bakhtiari appears to be making great progress from a significant injury, and head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that he is ahead of schedule.
This is the first “major” injury Bakhtiari has dealt with during his football career. Last season, he missed four games with a chest injury but later returned to play at a high level.
Bakhtiari saw former Green Bay tackle Bryan Bulaga recover from two ACL injuries during their seven years as teammates. Bakhtiari said he regrets giving Bulaga a hard time now having been through the same process.
“I respect the hell out of him that much more,” he said.
Even though Bakhtiari is making great progress in his recovery, it will be difficult for him to be ready for Week 1 of the regular season. That would put Bakhtiari’s recovery right at around eight months, which would be extremely impressive given the extent of the injury.
There should be an update on Bakhtiari’s progress at the start of training camp in late July. In the meantime, it’s nice to know the Packers All-Pro left tackle is on the right track.
“It’s coming along pretty well. I’m excited about where I’m at,” said Bakhtiari.
