Packers teammates hopeful that LT David Bakhtiari's ankle injury isn't serious
GREEN BAY – Just as the Green Bay Packers are getting their right tackle back from injury, they suddenly have uncertainty on the left side.
David Bakhtiari, their All-Pro left tackle, left the field near the end of the Packers' practice Saturday night. Left guard Lane Taylor said Bakhtiari told him he got his foot caught underneath him, indicating a rolled ankle. Coach Mike McCarthy said his left tackle had an ankle injury.
“I don’t have enough information to answer (the severity),” McCarthy said immediately after practice. “I know it’s his ankle, but that’s all I know.”
NFL Network, citing a source, reported Sunday that Bakhtiari suffered a sprained left ankle and would miss some practice time.
After trainers evaluated him on the bench, removing his left cleat and sock, Bakhtiari was carted to the locker room. He only limped slightly and was able to walk unassisted to the cart.
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Bakhtiari remained in the locker room after practice, but there was a sense among teammates that his injury wasn’t serious. Still, Bakhtiari is one of the Packers' most important and talented players, so the sight of him being carted to the locker room is always unsettling.
“That’s my boy,” Taylor said. “I don’t want to see him get hurt, banged up or anything. Hope he’s OK. I feel like it’ll be all right. So we’ll see tomorrow.
“Not 100 percent sure, but I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
Center Corey Linsley added: “I’m hoping it’s not (serious), but you never want to say anything until you get all the results and all the information.”
The Packers had been getting healthier on the offensive line. Right tackle Bryan Bulaga returned to practice Friday, though he was held out for precautionary reasons Saturday night.
With Bakhtiari out, Kyle Murphy replaced him at left tackle. The bulk of Murphy’s reps in camp have come on the left side with the Packers' second-team offense, though he has gotten some reps as a first-team right tackle behind Jason Spriggs.
Until Bakhtiari returns, Murphy is likely to take most of the first-team reps at left tackle.
“Just gotta be ready to take reps whenever,” Murphy said. “Yeah, obviously Dave got nicked up a little bit, but probably not too bad, tough guy. It’s always next man up.”
Bakhtiari was not the only tackle to leave practice with an injury.
Byron Bell, a seventh-year veteran the Packers signed in the spring, left after tweaking his right, lower back while pass blocking. He returned to the field for a couple of reps near the end of practice.
Initially, Bell said, he was concerned about his back, but he believes he will be OK. He has been fighting for a roster spot early in camp.
“It tightened up on me,” Bell said. “I just had to get out there. I don’t care. I’ve got to break something for me to come out. I’ve got to make this team. So whatever I’ve got to do, I’m going to do.”