Packer fans were enjoying a moment of optimism when the PUP list was released without TE David Bakhtiari who has struggled greatly with injury and missed games since an injury in December of 2020. Bakhtiari did manage to play some snaps in a single game last season against Detroit, but was not active in the playoffs.
Many were hopeful going into training camp that Bakhtiari’s ACL/meniscus injury was well enough for him to be a regular part of the team again. He was not a part of offseason practice, but it was looking like he might be ready for training camp.
LaFleur had previously told Yahoo Sports that they were hopeful, but unsure, of his recovery when asked in June:
“We fully anticipate him being ready to go, but, you know, we did last year as well. I think time will tell. We feel good about the work he’s put in and where he’s at. […] Our plan all along was to hold him from [offseason workouts] and make sure he’s continuing to get stronger and ready to go hopefully for training camp. We just thought that this is a guy that’s played a lot of ball and it’s best to hold him from this portion of it.”
Bakhtiari being on PUP at this point is not a doom sentence just yet. However, it’s not a good sign.
