Packers' Bakhtiari uncertain of Week 1 status following ACL injury

The Green Bay Packers could begin training camp on July 28 without both their star quarterback and most reliable blocker.

While the Aaron Rodgers saga continues to play out, left tackle David Bakhtiari also remains unsure if he'll be cleared for the opener after suffering a torn ACL during a New Year's Eve practice.

"This is my first time going through this, so I'm just going to attack every day, try to hit every benchmark I can," Bakhtiari said, according to the Wisconsin State Journal's Jason Wilde.

"And once 'Doc' (team physician Dr. Patrick McKenzie) can check me off, I can check myself, and I can go out there and not only perform and protect myself but perform at the level that the Packers need me to, I think that's where you'll see me return, on that date."

The three-time Pro Bowler has started all 118 games of his career since entering the league in 2013.

The 29-year-old signed a four-year, $92 million contract extension last November, becoming the NFL's highest-paid offensive lineman.

Bakhtiari's presence was sorely missed in the Packers' loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game, with the team surrendering five sacks to the eventual Super Bowl LV champions.

Green Bay opens the 2021 regular season against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 12.

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