David Bakhtiari addresses his injury
GREEN BAY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst says the Packers are being cautiously optimistic about All Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur tried to provide some levity for what has to be a frustrating situation saying with a smile -- He doesn't pay attention to timelines anymore, because once again the Packers face a unique injury situation.
"It's unfortunate but it is what it is and when he's ready to go, we'll be excited to have him back out there," said LaFleur.
"Imagine driving a sports car and keeping it in first gear," said Bakhtiari.
David Bakhtiari says he was not 100 percent for last year's Detroit Lions game, and his knee did not respond well, obviously. Today, on July 27, he continued his rehab work off to the side away from media. He told us he had another knee procedure before OTAs, as he had additional knee damage beyond his ACL. He called the experience his own personal nightmare, but at the same time, he said his concern level was low.
"I know everyone loves timelines. When I'm ready I'll be out there. What I can say is I do feel really good. I feel normal, my knee feels normal and that's the biggest plus. Now it's just getting that normal feeling again when I play football."
"We'd obviously love him to be back as soon as possible. But this is a knee on a 315-pound man, that would love to play four, five, six more years," said Aaron Rodgers.
That future is the top concern for everyone outside of the Packers facility. Bakhtiari holds his own expectation that whenever he is between the lines, he will play at a high level. He's leaning on the work he put in to become an All Pro in the first place.
"No one really thought I'd be where I was. I'm not a fortune teller, all I know is that I'm going to do the same thing that I did last time and it's going to be fun because I get to control my narrative," said Bakhtiari.
Another veteran injury update -- Mason Crosby says his right knee got tweaked in OTAs. He says he had a minor scope but likes the progress he made and the plan is to be ready for Week 1.