Packers' Bulaga cleared to practice 9 months after ACL tear

Green Bay Packers right tackle Bryan Bulaga was activated from the physically unable to perform list Friday, only nine months after tearing the ACL in his right knee.

"He just passed his physical today, so Bryan Bulaga will practice in a limited-return mode," head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "I know he's excited about the news that he got this morning from Dr. (Pat) McKenzie."

It typically takes closer to 12 months for players to return from a torn ACL, making Bulaga's speedy recovery a very pleasant surprise for Green Bay.

Bulaga's been a steady performer throughout his career when healthy, but he's battled numerous ailments over the years. The 29-year-old played in just five contests in 2017 before suffering the season-ending knee injury.

With Bulaga cleared to practice, it's plausible he'll be ready to take his starting spot at right tackle for the team's season-opener Sept. 9 against the Chicago Bears.