GREEN BAY, Wis.: Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur says he knows whether 2020 All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari will make his 2021 debut Sunday at Kansas City.
He just isnt planning to announce whether the 2020 All-Pro will be available in an attempt to make the Chiefs have to prepare for either scenario.
Bakhtiari hasnt played since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Dec. 31.
He began the season on the physically unable to perform list, meaning he had to sit out the first six games. Bakhtiari has been practicing with the team recently, but the Packers (7-1) havent yet activated him.
Davids doing everything that he can, and weve just got to make sure that the timing is right and take it day by day, LaFleur said Monday. And when hes ready to go we feel, everybody feels confident about it, then hell be back out there.
Bakhtiari, 30, was an All-Pro selection in 2018 and 2020.
Elgton Jenkins, a Pro Bowl left guard last season has been filling in for Bakhtiari at left tackle. Yosh Nijman started at left tackle for three games that Jenkins missed with an ankle injury.
While LaFleur isnt saying when Bakhtiari might play again, the coach was more forthcoming on the possible returns of 2020 Pro Bowl receiver Davante Adams and defensive coordinator Joe Barry, who both missed the Packers 24-21 victory Thursday at Arizona.
Adams was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and Barry tested positive last week. LaFleur said the Packers anticipate having Barry back on Thursday and indicated Adams was on a similar timeline.
But well see where were at, you know, LaFleur added.
Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling practiced Monday, raising hope that he could return after missing four games with a hamstring injury.
Certainly any time youre dealing with that type of injury, you never want to put a guy out there too early, because then it basically doubles the timeline for when you get a guy back, LaFleur said. But hes done everything he can in his power to try and get back as quickly as possible.
Outside linebacker ZaDarius was back with the team Monday but wasnt actually practicing. Smith hasnt played since the season opener because of a back injury. LaFleur said Smiths situation was more of a week-by-week case and added that the 2020 Pro Bowl pass rusher hasnt even really done a whole lot of rehab with our guys yet.
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