Offensive Lineman David Bakhtiari Could Start for Green Bay Packers in Season Opener

The Green Bay Packers could finally see one of their most accomplished players return to the field. Rob Demovsky of ESPN NFL Nation reports left tackle David Bakhtiari is on track to start this Sunday in the team's season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

David Bakhtiari says he's on track to start opener vs. Vikings.

Story here: https://t.co/1GWfmhGYYl
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) September 5, 2022

Bakhtiari has missed all but one game since tearing his ACL in December of 2020. The injury came shortly after the left tackle signed a massive extension that made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. He spent most of the 2021 season on PUP and briefly returned before a complication requiring surgery cost him the rest of the season. He made his long-awaited return to practice in late August.

Initially taken by the Packers 109th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, Bakhtiari immediately blew past draft projections by starting 16 games at left tackle as a rookie. Since then, he has added two All-Pros and three Pro Bowls to his resume all while maintaining consistently elite grades from Pro Football Focus. One of the league's very best offensive linemen, Bakhtiari turns 31 later this year, but should he be able to regain his form after his long road to recovery, he could bring a massive talent infusion to a Packers offense in desperate need of star power since trading away wide receiver Davante Adams.