Rodgers will play Sunday vs. Bears, Bakhtiari out after appendectomy

December 2, 2022 4:12 PM

Jaymes Langrehr,

Posted: December 2, 2022 4:12 PM

by Jaymes Langrehr

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers was taken off the Green Bay Packers’ injury report Friday and will play Sunday against the Chicago Bears, but he’ll be playing behind a reshuffled offensive line.

The Packers announced Friday that left tackle David Bakhtiari, who has struggled with multiple injuries over the last few years, will be out on Sunday after undergoing an emergency appendectomy.

What a crazy day. Thought I may have strained my abdomen or something this morning so I brought it up to our team Doctor. Next thing I know, I’m having surgery. Did not expect this. Everything went well. Thank y’all! 🧀 https://t.co/V2Fdn7Jmp8

— David Bakhtiari (@DavidBakhtiari) December 2, 2022

Bakhtiari has played in nine games this year, but had his snaps limited earlier in the season as he worked his way back from a series of knee surgeries. Finally back to playing 100% of the team’s offensive snaps over the last three weeks, Bakhtiari will now find himself again sidelined for an undetermined amount of time.

Bakhtiari said the procedure went well, but the appendectomy happening on Friday means the Packers will need to change the alignment of their offensive line at the last minute ahead of Sunday’s game in Chicago after preparing to have Bakhtiari protect Rodgers’ blind side all week.

Rookie Zach Tom stepped in to play left tackle the last time the Packers had to adjust their offensive line on the fly. The Packers did not immediately say who will now start at left tackle.

Rodgers, meanwhile, will be back after being knocked out of last Sunday night’s game against Philadelphia with a rib injury while he was already playing with a fractured thumb. Jordan Love played well in the handful of snaps after that, including delivering a crisp pass on a long catch-and-run touchdown by Christian Watson, but it remains to be seen how much playing time he’ll see to end the year with the Packers’ playoff hopes all but done.

The Packers also said Friday that linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, who has been out with a knee injury, and wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who has been out with an ankle injury, are considered questionable for Sunday. Safety Darnell Savage is doubtful after hurting his foot against the Eagles and not practicing this week.

Several other Packers are banged up but are expected to play against the Bears, including linebacker Krys Barnes (hand), running back AJ Dillon (quadriceps), safety Rudy Ford (wrist), cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles (ankle), offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (knee), running back Aaron Jones (shin and glute), and tight end Marcedes Lewis (resting this week).

On the Chicago side, quarterback Justin Fields is expected to play after sitting out last week with a shoulder injury.