Packers' Bakhtiari expected to play vs. Vikings, Watson's status uncertain

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said he "fully expects" left tackle David Bakhtiari to play Sunday versus the Minnesota Vikings, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky.

Bakhtiari hasn't played since he underwent an appendectomy following a Week 12 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He earned an 86.4 pass blocking grade from PFF before being shelved.

LaFleur didn't have an update on rookie wide receiver Christian Watson's status for Sunday's matchup. Watson left the team's win over the Miami Dolphins last Sunday with a hip injury and didn't return.

The Packers can still reach the playoffs if they take down the Vikings on Sunday and the Detroit Lions in Week 18 and get some help from the other teams currently ahead of them in the NFC standings.