Packers place David Bakhtiari on PUP
Bakhtiari did not take part in any of the offseason program.
By PackerAaron
This...well...it ain't great.
The Packers have placed star LT David Bakhtiari on the PUP list.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 23, 2022
When I spoke with Dave at the end of last season, he indicated that the knee was structurally sound.
This leads me to wonder if he's still dealing with the excess fluid and if this will be something they just have to manage going forward.
Regardless, having Bakhtiari on the shelf is obviously suboptimal.
Players who were placed on the PUP list yesterday included rookie wide receiver Christian Watson; tight end Robert Tonyan; Pro Bowl offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins; kicker Mason Crosby; defensive end Dean Lowry; running backs Kylin Hill and Patrick Taylor; outside linebacker Randy Ramsey; and defensive lineman Hauati Pututau.
Players placed on the PUP list can return at any time during camp and the preseason. Once they practice, however, they can not be placed on the regular season PUP.
The Packers also placed three players on the non-football injury list: Rookie offensive tackles Rasheed Walker and Caleb Jones, and linebacker Caliph Brice.
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Comments (28)
PatrickGB
July 23, 2022 at 05:37 pm
Damn. That is not good. As noted, once he practices he cannot be placed on PUP to start the season. So, maybe the news isn’t as bad as it came across.
WestWi_Packfan
July 23, 2022 at 05:49 pm
If I was Gute I'd be looking at veteran tackles and keeping an eye on camp cuts as there is no guarantee Bakh is coming back. At some point the Packers have to cut their losses and move on if he's not going to be able to play fairly soon. If he's not back at least for part of preseason then I think the writing is on the wall.
dobber
July 24, 2022 at 08:31 am
Given the Packers' situation at OT and recent practice (bringing in Wagner and other vet T for a look), I wouldn't be terribly surprised if they sign a vet regardless of Bakh's status.
Feels like sound roster management to me.
LLCHESTY
July 24, 2022 at 06:25 pm
It's worked well the last two years. Until the playoffs anyway.
Thegreatreynoldo
July 25, 2022 at 05:43 am
They could have just kept Billy Turner for $3M or so. I think it is unlikely they can find a better RT, or LT, for that kind of money at present. Keeping Turner sounds like better sound roster management to me. [Of course, GB just squeaked under the new league year salary cap limit by cutting Turner.]
I have been assuming that Bakh will return this season. I suspect that the Packers thought so as well. Maybe they have reason to still believe that. No idea. 19 months in a long recovery time.
wildbill
July 23, 2022 at 06:02 pm
“Panic early and avoid the rush” seemed to be the company motto of the last place I retired from. Packer fans seem to follow that also. This isn’t great news but Crosby and Lowry are some that are listed and I’m not worried about them. I think the Pack is being overly cautious and I’m ok with that.
stockholder
July 23, 2022 at 07:00 pm
A very expensive Lesson.
dobber
July 24, 2022 at 08:33 am
If only Kreskin were on retainer with the Packers' front office.
Grandfathered
July 23, 2022 at 07:22 pm
There could be blood, crystals or bacteria in the knee aspirations fluid. But his xray, ultrasounds and MRI are normal. Maybe that is what he means by "structurally sound". (I am not a medically trained)
dobber
July 24, 2022 at 08:45 am
In the end, the severity of the injury dictates recovery time. I think we were all led to believe that his (and Jenkins') ACL injuries were simple tears with minimal collateral damage, and that seemed to be reinforced byBakh doing side work last summer.
I don't believe we were ever really given a candid report on either, and it's not in the team's best interests to give one. Bakh's postseason interview where he spoke pretty openly about his situation showed his own frustration and hinted toward a more complex recovery.
As we look at this situation, the bottom line is that minicamp and OTAs seem to have those close to the team expecting that he'll play. I'm still hopeful, but also trust that the Packers have a solid Plan B, and well-coached players to go with. Once they exhaust planB, though?
LLCHESTY
July 24, 2022 at 06:28 pm
A lot of times when these things drag out it's because they get an infection in the joint and have to be opened up again. That didn't happen so that's a good sign.
oceanstrength
July 23, 2022 at 08:27 pm
I've said months ago that Bakhtairi is done. He will never play at a pro bowl level again. He will struggle with his knee as a on and off starter for a couple years then he's gone. Fluid is an indicator of structural problem. Inflammation is caused by irritation of tissue. Tissue is structure and Irritation is caused by structures not working right. You cant pour beer into your body like he does into your late twenties and not harm your health. He is not taking care of himself and the big money has done to him what it has to so many others. He has lost his edge. In the NFL you never get that back once you lose it. Its a shame, but move on.
croatpackfan
July 24, 2022 at 06:10 am
I wrote at the end of the last year that there is high possibility David Bakhtiari will never play again. The main problem is that nobody knows (by his own words) why that additional fluid continuously showing up in his injured knee. When you do not know the cause, you can't solve it.
On the other hand, human organism is true wonder that is able to repair a lot of unknown causes of many illness (and injuries). Sometimes with full functions back, sometimes with reduced functions, still good enough to live with it. But, later makes unable person to reach the top strength and comfort needed to perform on the highest level.
Sometimes those kind of injuries just need more time to organism to solve. I really hope David will be back at full strength at some moments and play again for Packers.
dobber
July 24, 2022 at 08:50 am
Human beings are nondeterministic systems. We talk in probabilities because every situation is unique.
croatpackfan
July 24, 2022 at 10:23 am
I was speaking in general. Of course that every individual is special. That is why medicine finally started to implement personal medicine in the most of the treatments.
But, every organism, human especially, has ability to fix problems by own action. Physicians can fix most of the problems only if they find the cause of the problems. Otherwise you have situation like with Bakh...
Gman1976
July 23, 2022 at 09:11 pm
This is sad to hear, but not unexpected. The size and age of Bak may mean it will take more time to heal. Or it may be a diet issue that causes the continued inflammation. Or it may mean the end of a great career. Hopefully, it's not the later.
NickPerry
July 23, 2022 at 09:44 pm
Well crap, this one is a bummer. I said I wouldn't panic until TC starts and like others pointed out because the Packers can activate him at any time so...
BUT...After 19 months it's hard to stay optimistic about Bakhtiari. He had surgery in 2020 and then they had to go in and do some clean-up on the knee. Now it's the end of July and he's still having issues? MAYBE the Packers are being overly cautious but damn, this doesn't sound good.
Leatherhead
July 23, 2022 at 09:58 pm
We need a LT on the field for over 1100 snaps, and it would be nice if Bakhtiari could do most of them, but that never struck me as something we could count on. I’m glad Nijman is available.
Guam
July 24, 2022 at 08:05 am
This is not looking good for Bahk. It has been more than a year and a half since his ACL and he is still unable to play. Big guys take longer to heal, but rarely this long without career ending implications. I too am very glad the Packers have Nijman.
I am also glad that Gute has invested a number of draft choices in the O-line recently. With Turner and Patrick gone, Bahk a serious question mark and Jenkins not due back for some time yet, the Packers will need every one of their young guys to step up.
dobber
July 24, 2022 at 08:59 am
Really, it's only been a year of games. The and-a-half part (you know, the part that sits at the 12-month point of an average recovery?) is all off-season where there was little motivation to ask him to do too much. Once we hit Aug 15 or so, we'll see where we are.
Is that a naive mindset? Maybe, but they have guys who can play, and getting too worked up over this doesn't do anything productive.
Guam
July 24, 2022 at 11:44 am
If Bahk hadn't been placed on the PUP list, I would share your view Dobber. However being placed on the PUP list after 19 months is a concern (at least for me). That indicates Bahk is not ready to practice yet and that is surprising given that ACL's normally take about a year to heal. Something is not right with Bahk's knee even after 19 months and two procedures. Ouch.....
Leatherhead
July 24, 2022 at 11:48 am
I think Bakhtiari will play this year, but I don’t know how much or how well.
Opportunity is knocking on Nijman’s door. With Bakhtiari and Jenkins ailing, he can put himself in position for a real good payday if he can do the job.
ImaPayne2
July 23, 2022 at 10:31 pm
Shocked to hear this. I thought for sure he would be pumping iron and ready to get back to being the solid force on the left side again . NOT!
No his injury has taken way longer to heal then you usually see which says he didnt heal well or the injury was way move problemmatic then reported.
Hey we all hope he can be ready for the Fall but apparently he cant even practice now until the start of the season.
Perhaps its time the staff fully assess this situation and make a decision on the guy. Coulda woulda shoulda aint working anymore
HarryHodag
July 24, 2022 at 07:47 am
I've been watching football going on seven decades. I've rarely seen a knee injury last this long and not show marked improvement.
My guess is if this doesn't clear up by the end of training camp he will, or should, retire.
Vforrest
July 24, 2022 at 09:41 am
Not good 😢
How many games do we play again this year without all five first team starts not on the field. To me that still is the biggest OMG moment from last year. Winning 13 games and NEVER have your starting 5 play one snap together is mind boggling!
Irish_Cheesehead
July 24, 2022 at 12:23 pm
Just a precaution. Dave is going to be fine.
dobber
July 25, 2022 at 07:52 am
I tend to land here, too. 69 is an expensive and valuable asset, and there are no meaningful snaps to be played in July.
Rarescope
July 25, 2022 at 09:29 am
Don’t read too much into this. Once they practice they can’t go on PUP during the season so anyone with an inkling of an injury is put on it. Anyone on that list right now is a precautionary move.