Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur admitted the possibility of left tackle David Bakhtiari missing additional games due to his unexpected appendectomy last week.
The Packers have a bye this week, but the timeline for Bakhtiari’s recovery from the surgery could require sitting out more games.
“We’ll see how he feels when we come back from the bye, and see where he’s at. From what I’ve been told, it could be a while. We’ll see where he’s at,” LaFleur said Monday.
According to Mount Sinai, the typical recovery time for an appendectomy is 2-4 weeks. The Packers play the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night in Week 15.
Bakhtiari had surgery in the days before the Packers’ win over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. He had started five straight games before the surgery.
The Packers ruled out Bakhtiari on Friday, and rookie Zach Tom started in his place in Chicago.
“It’s unfortunate for Dave, certainly, he was bummed. And I think Dave has been playing some really good ball,” LaFleur said.
Tom, in his third NFL start, played 66 snaps and did not allow a pressure in pass protection. LaFleur called him “super reliable.”
“Zach went in there and did a great job,” LaFleur said.
Tom, a fourth-round pick out of Wake Forest, could be the future at left tackle. It’s increasingly possible he’ll get another start or two at the position over the final four games.
Bakhtiari, who turned 31 in September, has made nine starts and played 481 snaps in 2022.
