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GREEN BAY, Wisconsin – The Green Bay Packers have lost one of the most important limbs of their high power offense, All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari, to what is believed to be a knee injury end of season suffered in training on Thursday, a source told ESPN.
NFL Network reported the injury was likely an ACL tear.
The Packers added Bakhtiari to Thursday’s post-practice injury report. During the game open to journalists, there was no apparent problem. Coach Matt LaFleur spoke before practice and will answer questions from reporters on Friday.
The Packers (12-3), who lead the NFL with 31.6 points per game, would be the No.1 seed in the NFC if they win their regular season final on Sunday at the Chicago Bears.
But now they will have to do it without their best attacking player. It comes just six weeks after he signed Bakhtiari to a record four-year, $ 103.5 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history.
The 29-year-old fourth-round pick in 2013 has been either the first or second All-Pro team in the past four years. He was named the Pro Bowl starter when the selections were announced last week.
When Bakhtiari missed three games earlier this season with broken ribs, the Packers played Billy Turner at left tackle. Turner has been a regular starter on the right side, both guard and tackle.
Most recently, Turner started the last four games on right guard, while Rick Wagner started on good tackle. However, Wagner suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s victory over the Tennessee Titans and was a limited practice participant.
Another option would be to move Pro Bowl left guard Elgton Jenkins to left tackle. Jenkins has played everywhere except right guard this season, having played 599 shots at left guard, 286 at center, 31 at right tackle and 26 at left tackle, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
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