Packers at Falcons: Huge Inactives News
If the Green Bay Packers are going to upset the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, they’ll have to pull it off without three of their top players.
Not only are running back Aaron Jones and receiver Christian Watson inactive, but so is left tackle David Bakhtiari.
That Jones and Watson are out due to hamstring injuries isn’t a surprise. Jones didn’t practice all week and Watson returned to practice on Friday after missing two-and-a-half weeks. Both players were questionable on Friday’s injury report.
The Bakhtiari news is big – although certainly not a shock given his importance to the team, the history with his knee and that this game will be played on artificial turf. He was not given a designation on last week’s injury report but was questionable on Friday.
Because this game will be played on turf, Bakhtiari was asked on Wednesday if not playing was a consideration.
“I don’t think that’s a conversation that should be had. I just don’t think that’s … it’s not appropriate,” he said.
Rasheed Walker started the preseason games at left tackle and could be in line to make his first NFL start. A seventh-round pick last year, Walker played in one game as a rookie and logged four snaps on special teams. Last week against Chicago, he played seven snaps on offense and six on special teams.
“I think just overall understanding of what we’re trying to get accomplished,” coach Matt LaFleur said of Walker’s growth on Friday. “He’s always had the physical tools. We loved him coming out of the draft and I think he’s just matured, not only as a football player but as a person. When given the opportunities, he’s gone in there and done a really nice job for us.”
Green Bay’s other inactives are offensive tackle Caleb Jones, safeties Anthony Johnson and Zayne Anderson and outside linebacker Brenton Cox.
For the Falcons, cornerback Jeff Okudah and linebacker Troy Andersen are the inactives who are inactive. Okudah was the Lions’ first-round pick in 2020 but has been battling a foot injury, and Anderson had 10 tackles last week but is out with a concussion. Kickoff returner Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh), one of the best in NFL history, is out, as well.
Bakhtiari is one of the NFL’s leading voices against artificial turf. He thought turf might have played a role in Aaron Rodgers’ torn Achilles last week at MetLife Stadium.
“I don’t want to beat a dead horse,” Bakhtiari said this week. “I just think it’s simple. Football should be played on grass. Period. It’s not the end all, be all. We already play a violent game, so why increase the risk? We already know what we risk playing this game. That’s my piece with it.
“If you want to talk about any other stats or anything else, go talk to the men in this room – with or without these cameras. Ask them how they feel after games. I can tell you from my 11 years of experience, just feel like shit, beat up. I’m excited for the point to come to a head and these younger guys – because they will – they’ll eventually move to it. It’s just annoying that it takes a long time to move mountains.”
Bakhtiari was not given an injury designation before the Chicago game and pitched a pass-protection shutout. Coach Matt LaFleur listed Bakhtiari as questionable on Friday but said Bakhtiari hadn’t suffered a setback. Thus, his status appears to be totally precautionary because of the field.
Of note: the Packers will play on turf against the Lions on Thanksgiving in Week 12, Giants in Week 14 and Vikings in Week 17.
“Go play basketball on hardwood and then go play on concrete,” Bakhtiari said. “Do you see a basketball player playing on any other surface besides hardwood? No. They have a consistent floor. That’s where I just laugh. I’m like, ‘Awww, it’s stupid.’ It’s simple. Just grass. As simple as that.”
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