The fact that he’s not playing tells you all you need to know. If he could play and wanted to play he’d be playing. If he can’t play… you don’t want him. If he isn’t interested in playing… you don’t want him.
That's pretty much the whole thread right there. Bakhtiari loves the game passionately, and was heartbroken rthat his career was short - all he wanted was to play just a couple more years in the tail end of his prime. Halfway through the season there are probably at least a half dozen teams who need the help and would be happy to give him a chance.
But he can't play unless he passes his physical, and he still hasn't passed. It's just that simple. It's been a year since his last surgery (his 5th in 3 seasons), and his knee still isn't ready. At this point, I don't see it ever happening. And even if it does, it's been almost 2 years since he's even taken a snap, and he's 34 years old - his old body is just not going to be in game shape.
I hate to say it, because I love the man, but I don't think he'll ever play again. And maybe that would be for the best.