Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons will not make his season debut in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, as he has yet to be cleared to return to practice following the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury he sustained last season. ESPN Deportes reported that while Parsons has progressed through his rehabilitation, the team remains cautious regarding his return to the field.
Parsons remains sidelined for Week 6 against Dallas
Despite initial hopes that the Week 6 matchup against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, would serve as his return date, Parsons remains inactive. The edge rusher is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, a designation that required him to sit out for at least four weeks. Although that window has closed, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed on Monday that the team has not yet received medical clearance to reintroduce Parsons to practice.
“In cuanto nos den luz verde, estará ahí,” LaFleur said. “Eso aún no ha sucedido, pero creo que nos estamos acercando.”
Rehabilitation timeline and injury history
Parsons suffered the ACL injury on December 14 and underwent surgery on December 29. With nine and a half months having elapsed since the procedure, he has surpassed the standard nine-month recovery threshold typically observed by the Packers for players returning from such injuries. During the offseason, general manager Brian Gutekunst noted on September 1 that he expected Parsons to be near a return once the initial four-game period concluded. However, the organization has emphasized a measured approach to ensure the player’s long-term health.
LaFleur explained the rationale for the delay, noting the physical demands of the position and the need for balanced recovery. “Es decir, es un portento físico, sin duda una fuerza de la naturaleza, y a veces hay que asegurarse de que el cuerpo esté (en equilibrio),” LaFleur added. “A lo que me refiero es a que no quieres que una pierna sea mucho más fuerte que la otra.”
Impact on the Packers’ defensive rotation
The absence of Parsons continues a period of adjustment for the Green Bay defense. During his 14 appearances last season—following his acquisition from the Cowboys—Parsons recorded 12.5 sacks and led the NFL with 64 quarterback pressures, according to ESPN Analytics. The Packers currently hold a 3-2 record heading into the Sunday night contest at Lambeau Field, while the Cowboys arrive with a 2-3 mark.
Next steps for the Packers’ roster
The possibility of Parsons playing in the Week 7 game against the Detroit Lions is also considered unlikely. The coaching staff has indicated that once the player is cleared, he will require a period of practice time to regain his conditioning and rhythm before appearing in a game. LaFleur stated that multiple medical evaluations must be completed before Parsons can rejoin full team activities. The team will provide further updates on his status as he reaches the next checkpoint in his medical clearance process.
