Will Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons wait until Week 8 to return?
· Yahoo Sports
While the expectation is that Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons will begin the regular season on the PUP list and miss at least the first four games, it's possible a more patient approach to his recovery timeline will have his return to the playing field pushed back to closer to midseason.
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Parsons recently said himself that getting to 100 percent, minimizing the risk of re-injury and maintaining career longevity are the primary goals of his rehab from ACL reconstruction and a meniscus cleanup surgeries. While Parsons could start the year on the PUP list, return to practice in late September and make his debut in mid-October, it's possible he'll need a few more weeks to reach his rehab goals and be ready to play.
In a response to a post on X, Parsons' brother, Terrence Parsons Jr., seemed to indicate that Week 8 is a more realistic return date. The point of the response (and his other responses in the thread) seemed less about precisely predicting a return date and more about setting realistic expectations on when Parsons could return.
The bottom line: Don't be shocked if the Packers don't have Parsons on the field come Week 5.
The Packers face the Chicago Bears in Week 5, the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6 and the Detroit Lions (on the road) in Week 7. All three are important games, and the Packers would obviously benefit greatly from having their best defensive player back and on the field. But getting Parsons to 100 percent and ready to take on the second half of the season as the Packers prepare for a playoff push has always been the priority.
"The goal for me is to complete the season – no relapse – and playoffs and pushing towards a championship," Parsons said last week. "The goal isn't for me to go out there and re-hurt myself trying to force myself to get back the first few games. The goal has always been playoffs, and I think we're all on the same page."
The Packers set a strict nine-month timeline before Parsons, who had surgery on Dec. 29, can return to do any football activities. The nine-month mark would be Sept. 29. Theoretically, Parsons could start practicing on Sept. 29 and have multiple weeks to ramp up before returning to face the Bears, Cowboys or Lions.
The Packers play the Bears on Oct. 11, the Cowboys on Oct. 18 and the Lions on Oct. 25. Week 8 is a short week, with a visit from the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 29, which would align with the 10-month mark for Parsons.
Last year, receiver Christian Watson tore his ACL in early January, had surgery a few weeks later and then returned to the playing field in Week 8. Parsons tore his ACL in mid-December and had surgery in late December, although his meniscus clean up surgery changes his timeline based on the team's nine-month rule.
Again, the idea is to set realistic expectations. Might Week 5 be too early? Possibly, but a return anywhere between Week 5 and Week 8 looks within the realm of possibility for Micah Parsons making his 2026 season debut.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers: Will Micah Parsons wait until Week 8 to return?