Packers' Bakhtiari done for season due to torn ACL
The Green Bay Packers are headed to the playoffs without their best offensive lineman.
Pro Bowl left tackle David Bakhtiari suffered a torn ACL during practice Thursday, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Friday, according to Stacey Dales of NFL Network.
LeFleur added it was a non-contact injury.
Bakhtiari, who's been a Pro Bowl selection three times, is one of football's most reliable left tackles. The 29-year-old has started 118 games since entering the NFL in 2013 and has allowed just one sack and nine pressures while committing four penalties through 12 starts this campaign.
The former fourth-round pick has earned four All-Pro nods, including a first-team berth in 2018. Bakhtiari inked a four-year, $92-million extension in November to become the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league.
Overall, the Packers have allowed only 20 sacks through 16 games this year, the second-best mark in the NFL.
Bakhtiari missed three games earlier this season (against the Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings, and San Francisco 49ers) due to a chest injury, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked twice in those games. Billy Turner replaced Bakhtiari at left tackle while Rick Wagner played right tackle in those games.
The Packers' best option is putting Elgton Jenkins at left tackle now.
- Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) January 1, 2021
Rick Wagner at right tackle, Billy Turner at right guard, Corey Linsley at center and Lucas Patrick at left guard.
Green Bay's O-line didn't falter when Bakhtiari missed three games this season, but still...
Green Bay enters Week 17 to face the Chicago Bears as the NFC's No. 1 seed.
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