There are certain members of the Green Bay Packers that the team really can’t afford to lose to injury. At the top of that list of course is quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Last season proved what the Packers can’t do when Rogers is not under center. Some might argue that Clay Matthews is another member of that list. Matthews is the Packers best pass rusher. Without him, the Packers struggle to get to opposing quarterbacks. But left offensive tackle David Bakhtiari might be ahead of Matthews on that list. Not only is Bakhtiari an elite offensive tackle, but he has one of the most important tasks on the team, which is protecting Rodgers blind side. So when he went down with an apparent ankle injury during Family Night, the Packers and the Packers fans, all gasped. If the Packers were to lose Bakhtiari for the start of the regular season, it would be a big loss. If he were lost for a substantial amount of time the Packers would be forced to insert one of their backups. David Bakhtiari’s injury puts the Packers offensive tackle depth in spotlight.
David Bakhtiari’s Injury Puts Offensive Tackle Depth in Spotlight for Green Bay Packers
It appears that Bakhtiari and the Packers have lucked out. It was reported that he should be back by Week one of the regular season. Still, the Packers aren’t out of the woods just yet on his injury. Ankle injuries can linger and one awkward move or plant of the foot, and the injury could flare up again. Bakhtiari’s injury will force the Packers to make sure they have a replacement in case he can’t go.
Replacing a player of Bakhtiari’s caliber will be a very tough task. Not only has he been elected to a Pro Bowl, but he has been named second team All Pro two times. Only 26 years of age, he has started 74 games in the NFL. Not only is he one of the best left offensive tackles in the NFL, he has a lot of good football in front of him.
The Possible Replacements
If Bakhtiari’s injury is worse than being reported, or flares up again, the Packers have three possible replacements on their current roster. All three have experience, and each brings something different to the table. Here is a look at who might have to step in and have the responsibility of protecting Rodgers’ blindside.
Byron Bell
This off-season the Packers signed Byron Bell to compete on the right side. Many thought that starting right offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga wouldn’t be ready to start the regular season opener. But it appears now that Bulaga should be ready. Still, Bell’s experience will come in handy not only for the right side, but on the left side as well, if needed.
Bell has experience, starting on both sides. He has played for three different teams, the Packers being the fourth. With his first team, the Carolina Panthers, he saw time at left tackle. Last season, while with the Dallas Cowboys, he stepped in for Tyron Smith when Smith went down with an injury. However, his play wasn’t too stellar.
Bell will need to show that he has some ability left in the tank. The Packers know that Bell probably can’t be depended on to be a long term replacement. However, if he has anything left in the tank, he might be able to take over for Bakhtiari for a short amount of time, if necessary.
Kyle Murphy
Kyle Murphy is a former sixth-round pick out of Stanford. He started three games last season, at both left and right tackle. Murphy performed better on the right side than the left. But he was a left tackle at Stanford, so he does have experience playing on that side.
There are some questions regarding whether or not Murphy has the ability to handle speed rushers when playing on the left side. Probably more geared to playing on the right side, Murphy could step in for a short amount of time on the left side, but he wouldn’t be a long term answer.
Jason Spriggs
Out of this group of three, the Packers no doubt hope that Jason Spriggs can step in. The Packers traded up in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft to grab the Indiana product. The Packers were hoping that he might be able to be their top backup at both left and right tackle.
Unfortunately, so far, his play has been disappointing. He has played both left and right tackle, and he’s also spent some time at guard. His play hasn’t stood out at any of those positions. He has started seven games during his NFL career and last season, he was lost to a knee injury, which cut his season short.
Spriggs has the height and wing span (6’6”) to be a starting tackle in the NFL. He has put on some weight to his thin frame this off-season as well. But as he is entering his third season in the NFL, he will need to show that he is progressing and that he was worth the second round pick. The Packers would be delighted if he were to be able to step in for Bakhtiari. But as of now, that would be asking a lot since so far he has been a disappointment. Still, the Packers have a lot invested in Spriggs and are hoping he can figure it out.
Keeping Their Fingers Crossed
If the reports are correct and David Bakhtiari’s injury isn’t as bad as it looked, the Packers should be feeling relief. But still, they need to make sure they have a capable backup in case he struggles to come back back from it. These three candidates struggled in the Family Night practice, which doesn’t help the Packers confidence in them.
But they do have three candidates, and a lot of NFL teams don’t have that luxury. Offensive line coach James Campen will need to get all three ready. If the Packers struggle to protect Rodgers’ blindside, there won’t be much hope for their season. Bakhtiari has proven that he is one of the elite left offensive tackles in the NFL when healthy. The Packers need to hope he can get healthy. If not, the Packers will have to lean on one of these three to step in.
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