Packers' All-Pro OT David Bakhtiari placed on PUP list

The Green Bay Packers are a very careful team when it comes to major injuries historically, and it usually ends up paying off in the end. The team is continuing to be very careful with five-time All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari as they placed the 30-year old on the PUP list Saturday. The former Colorado Buffalo star missed almost the entire season while recovering from his ACL tear he suffered on New Year's Eve of the 2020 season. 

The good news is that Bakhtiari will get even more time to get ready for the 2022 regular season. He was most likely not going to play during the preseason, so he gets even more time to recover. Based off of what NFL rules state, players placed on the physically unable to perform list during training camp or just before aren't obligated to miss any regular season time. In recent seasons, the Packers have made it a point to keep players out until they are fully ready to go. It has almost always paid off. Franchise legend Jordy Nelson tore his ACL in 2015 and missed the entire season but won NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2016. Going even further back, quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a concussion in the 2010 regular season. Of course, the team would later go on to win the Super Bowl and Rodgers would be named the Super Bowl MVP. 

The Packers are taking it easy with Bakhtiari. They can afford to. They drafted three versatile offensive linemen in April's NFL Draft, including Wake Forest's All-ACC performer Zach Tom. The team also has a number of capable backups, including Yosh Nijman.