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An injury at training camp on Tuesday shed a chilling light on one of the Green Bay Packers’ biggest roster holes.
Below, left tackle David Bakhtiari, who – according to reporters on site – suffered an unspecified lower-body injury and was taken off duty 11-11 during practice. At this point, it is not known if the injury is noticeable. Coach Matt LaFleur was unable to provide details immediately after practice.
Along with Bakhtiari came the replacement Alex Light, who – according to Athletic’s Matt Schneidman – quickly gave up quick and easy pressure to seventh-round rookie Jonathan Garvin.
No one is a perfect replacement for a perennial All-Pro left tackle, but the Packers need to do better at a premium position.
As the Packers shuffle and match the players trying to determine the right side of the offensive line, depth behind Bakhtiari remains a pressing issue. There is no guarantee that Light, an undrafted free agent who fought hard to relieve Bryan Bulaga in a few games last season, is the best replacement. But he was the first to leave the bench on Tuesday.
In 2019, Light played 97 pass blocking shots and allowed 10 total presses. He ranked as one of the worst offensive tackles in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. While he’s the best option behind Bakhtiari, the Packers are playing with the season-crippling fire.
On the right side, the Packers cross Billy Turner and Rick Wagner on the right tackle. In a pinch, it is possible that one of the two moves on the left side. But that’s another unwanted option. Wagner has played his entire career on the right side, and Turner, although more athletic, struggled with power and speed while playing inside right guard last season.
LaFleur mentioned that left guard Elgton Jenkins, a rising star, is able to play any position along the line. There is a chance that he would be the best option on the left tackle if something bad happened to Bakhtiari. But then again, Jenkins has the body type and style of play of a traditional inside lineman and probably wouldn’t be as efficient as a left tackle.
The Packers believe they have something in second-year offensive tackle Yosh Nijman, who will likely push for a spot on the roster. He’s never played in an NFL game. Rookie Jon Runyan played left tackle in Michigan, but the Packers have made it clear they think the goaltender is his best position.
GM Brian Gutekunst could always call Jared Veldheer if he desperately needs the help of a veteran. Veldheer saved the day on the right tackle at the end of the 2019 season.
Finding quality assist during an offensive tackle isn’t easy, but the Packers haven’t made it a priority. The team has drafted a real attacking tackle since 2016, and that pick – Jason Spriggs – ended up being a big bust. Now the depth of the team is non-existent behind Bakhtiari, who is expected to be a free agent after this season.
The offensive line cannot be injury to collapse.
The Packers just hope Bakhtiari is doing well and stays healthy throughout the 2020 season.
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