•

Forget the loss to the Bucs.   It's history.   There is another game to get ready for.   And another potentially big issue to be concerned with.   

Left tackle David Bakhtiari suffered a chest injury on the Packers first offensive play of the third quarter.   He left the game and did not return.   On Monday Coach Matt LaFleur said he didn't think the injury was going to be serious.   I breathed a sigh of relief.   But when the coach stepped to the podium on Wednesday I was hoping for an equally optimistic report.   LaFleur would say only "There is nothing new to report.   He will not practice today."

Uh-oh.   Didn't like the sound of that.   I'm still hopeful the All Pro veteran can take the field against the Texans Sunday, but if he can't what are the alternatives?

Rick Wagner

Wagner is a right tackle by trade and played adequately there for the Packers earlier this season.   But when Bakh went down against Tampa Bay, Wagner was the choice to replace him on the left side.   It didn't go well.   In 23 snaps he gave up a half sack, a pressure and was responsible for a bad run.   His positive is that he has played a lot of tackle and knows the position.   His downside is that the footwork he has been accustomed to for years on the right side would be reversed on the left and that could make for more missed assignments.   At 30 years old he is past his prime and probably not reliable at the most important position on the front line.

Billy Turner

He was just okay at right guard last season, moved out to right tackle this year and has held his own.   He is versatile and playing left tackle would not be a completely new world.   But he has trouble with speed rushers and quick sets and it's a little scary to trust Aaron Rodgers' blind side with him.

Elgton Jenkins

Immediately settled in to the left guard slot as a rookie last year and played very well.   When Wagner got hurt in the preseason, Jenkins was the surprise replacement at right tackle and wasn't embarrassed.   He moves well and learns fast, and proved he is not overwhelmed on the outside.   Left tackle would be a huge leap, but the Packers may want to look at him there in case they can't sign Bakhtiari to a new deal.

Yosh Nijman

At 6 foot 7 and 313 lbs Nijman has imposing size.   He has flashed good sets and athletic footwork in practice.   The major concern is Nijman is green as grass.   The second year man from Virginia Tech played five snaps late against the Lions this year and that's about it.   To insert him against Houston would be baptism under fire no doubt.   Here again is an example of a guy the Packers desperately wanted to see play in preseason games to gauge what they have.   Finding out the hard way as a replacement starter may be too risky. 

Jon Runyan

In terms of NFL exposure, Runyan is even greener than Nijman.   He has also been working out inside thus far for the team and has been projected as a guard/center in the pros.   But Runyan started 24 games at left tackle in college at Michigan and was first team all Big Ten as a junior and senior.   Again, it would have been great to see him play all across the line in the preseason, but that didn't happen.   Starting against the Texans is a tough place to find out if he can play.

As you see, there are several options.   The question is, are any of them any good?   Which way would you go?   I would start Jenkins, then insert Runyan at left guard.   Keep in mind that whomever starts will likely be looking across the line of scrimmage at the likes of J.J. Watt.

Of course, all of this is moot if Bakhtiari shows up on the practice field late this week.   That would be the best of all outcomes.   Keep your fingers crossed.   

OUTTAKES

•  Did anybody notice that Fox announcer Joe Buck was in Arlington, Texas Saturday for Game 6 of the NLCS, then was in Tampa, Florida Sunday for the Packers-Bucs game, then was in Buffalo, New York Monday for Bills-Chiefs, then back in Arlington Tuesday for game one of the World Series?   That dude must spend a lot of time sleeping on airplanes.

•  One of my favorite all time Packers will be on the other sideline Sunday.   Randall Cobb is still catching passes in the NFL.   Caught a TD for the Texans last week against Tennessee.   Green Bay made the right call to part ways a few years back, but dang, he made some great plays for us.   His backbreaking TD catch against the Bears is one of my all time favorite moments.

•  With Tyler Ervin out last week, it would have been nice to see what Darrius Shepherd could bring to the table on kick-off returns.   You may recall he was impressive in the 2019 preseason.   Unfortunately, he never got the chance.   Tampa Bay's Bradley Pinion blasted all seven kick-offs into, or out of, the end zone.   Maybe he'll get a shot at Houston.

•  I don't know about you, but I'm taking the Bears much more seriously now.....even though they obviously still suck.

.