Packers’ Kylin Hills, Elgton Jeffries, and Robert Tonyan race to return from ACL injuries.

GREEN BAY (Wis.) — The race is on between Kylin Hill, Elgton Jenkins And Robert Tonyan.

All three Green Bay Packers Within weeks of each other, the ACLs were torn. They’ve been rehabbing side by side and now that they’re on the cusp of returning, each player wants to be the first one back.

“Between Rob and Elgton, they go at it every day,” said Hill, the backup running back and kick returner who suffered a torn ACL in his right knee on Oct. 28 against the Cardinals. “I stay quiet and sit back in the background and laugh it off.

“All of us, we’re very happy to be together in those rehab sessions, and we’re ready to hit the field.”

Jenkins tore his left ACL and suffered the injury against the Vikings three-and-a half weeks later. Tonyan (left anterior cruciate ligament) was also hurt in the Cardinals’ match.

“Me, him, Elgton, we talk every day,” Hill said. “We’re ready to come back and make our big splash on the field together.”

The obvious goal is for Tonyan and Hill to return in time for the training camp’s start on July 27. Tonyan and Hill would have to be back in training camp on July 27th, which will be nearly nine months after their injuries. Week 1 is a more realistic goal. Jenkins, however could be a few days behind. The entire offseason was spent in the rehabilitation program, while the rest went through minicamps and OTAs. This week ended.

“Right now, it’s just continuing to work,” Jenkins said. “When that time comes for me to get out there, and when I’m comfortable and the trainers are comfortable, then we’ll do it.”

The cautionary tale can be dealt with, however. David Bakhtiari. He tore the left ACL in a practice on December 31, 2020. That made his availability for the 2021 opener a long shot, so it wasn’t a surprise when he began the season on the physically unable to perform list. The surprise, however, was that he didn’t play his first snaps — and what turned out to be his only snaps — of the season until the Week 18 game against the Lions. This was supposed to have been a dress rehearsal for the playoffsHe was, however. shut down again.

Bakhtiari’s troubles may not be over. He didn’t participate in a single practice this offseason; instead he spent his time in the rehab group with Hill, Jenkins and Tonyan.

“Time will tell,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said regarding whether Bakhtiari will be back by the start of training camp. “We fully anticipate him being ready to go, but we did last year, as well. It will be interesting to see what happens. But we feel good about the work that he’s put in and where he’s at.”

The Packers will be able to resolve several issues if they have all four ACL players back for the Season.

Bakhtiari would return to left tackle, where he was an All-Pro. Jenkins, who was Bakhtiari’s fill-in after getting hurt, would be able to return to left tackle or to become the new starting right tackle. Billy Turner He was released. Tonyan would return to being the team’s top tight end given that the Packers didn’t draft or sign a free agent at the position. Hill was the No. 3 running back Aaron Jones And AJ DillonRich Bisaccia’s special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia likely will be the top kick-returner.

“Those are some really important players for us,” LaFleur said. “They’re doing well while they’ve been here.”