An injury during training camp training shone a terrible light on one of the Green Bay Packers’ largest roster holes.
Down went left-leaning David Bakhtiari, who – according to reporters on the scene – suffered an unspecified injury from lower body and was removed from the 11-on-11 job during practice. At this point, it is unclear if the injury is anything to go by. Coach Matt LaFleur could not immediately provide details after the exercise.
With Bakhtiari out, backup Alex Light came in, who – according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic – immediately gave a quick and easy push to seventh-round rookie Jonathan Garvin.
No one will perfectly replace a perennial All-Pro left tackle, but the Packers should do better at a premium position.
While the Packers mix and match players trying to find the right side of the offensive line, the depth behind Bakhtiari remains a pressing issue. There is no guarantee that Light, a developed free agent who has fought powerfully in the relief of Bryan Bulaga in a few games last season, is the top backup. But he was the first from the bench on Tuesday.
In 2019, Light played 97 pass-blocking snaps and allowed 10 total pushes. He graded out as one of the NFL’s least offensive tackles, per Pro Football Focus. If he is the top option behind Bakhtiari, the Packers are playing with season-ending fire.
On the right, the Packers pushed through Billy Turner and Rick Wagner to the right. In a pinch, it is possible that one of the two could go to the left. But this is another unusual option. Wagner has played his entire career on the right wing, and Turner, while more athletic, struggled against both strength and speed while playing in the right wing 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 he is the best option at left tackle if something serious happened to Bakhtiari. But again, Jenkins has the body type and playing style of a traditional interior lineman and would probably not be nearly as effective as a player on the left tackle.
The Packers think they have something in YF Nijman in the second year offensive tackle, which will likely hit a roster spot. He has never played in an NFL game. Rookie Jon Runyan played left tackle at Michigan, but the Packers made it clear that they think guard is his best position.
GM Brian Gutekunst could always give Jared Veldheer a call if he is desperate for veteran help. Veldheer saved the day on the right tackle late in the 2019 season.
Finding quality help in offensive approach is not easy, but the Packers have not made it a priority. The team has put up a really attacking tackle since 2016, and that pick – Jason Spriggs – ended up a big bust. Now the depth of the team does not exist behind Bakhtiari, who is planning to be a free agent this season.
The offensive line can not be one injury away from the curve.
The Packers just hope better that Bakhtiari is good, and he stays healthy through the entire 2020 season.
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