Green Bay’s star defensive player Micah Parsons informed reporters on Wednesday that his return to the field is still months away, despite earlier hopes of rejoining the team during the season’s opening weeks. The All-Pro edge rusher said he remains four months from receiving medical clearance to practice.
The 27-year-old underwent ACL reconstruction surgery on Dec. 29 following a season-ending injury suffered during a Dec. 14 game against the Denver Broncos. Parsons disclosed Wednesday that doctors also performed a meniscus procedure during the same surgery.
The five-time Pro Bowl defender is expected to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list, automatically sidelining him for the team’s first four contests.
“The goal for me is to complete the season — not no relapse — and playoffs and pushing towards a championship,” Parsons explained. “The goal isn’t for me to go out there and rehurt myself trying to force myself to get back the first few games. The goal has always been (to be available for the) playoffs, and I think we’re all on the same page.”
Should Parsons start the season on the PUP list, he could return to practice before Green Bay’s Week 5 home game against division rival Chicago Bears on Oct. 11. The Packers then welcome Parsons’ previous team, the Dallas Cowboys, the following Sunday.
“We have a pretty good strong nine-month rule,” Parsons said regarding the team’s approach. “Through the research and the data, there’s no good outcomes with players coming back early from an ACL, especially if you had other things that had to get fixed up. It’s just all about completing the rehab to the best of our ability and then seeing where we’re at from there.”
Prior to Parsons’ injury, Green Bay had compiled a strong 9-3-1 record, but the team collapsed with four consecutive losses to end the regular season and suffered a first-round playoff elimination at the hands of the Bears.
During his debut campaign with the Packers, Parsons tallied 12.5 sacks, 41 tackles, 27 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles, earning All-Pro first team honors for the third time in five seasons.
The Packers obtained Parsons from Dallas in a blockbuster Aug. 28, 2025 trade, subsequently signing him to a four-year, $186 million extension running through 2029. Green Bay surrendered Kenny Clark and two first-round selections to complete the transaction.
Since Dallas selected him 12th overall in the 2021 draft, Parsons has accumulated 65.0 sacks across 77 games (76 starts). He captured NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2021.
