Micah Parsons had hoped to rejoin the Green Bay Packers during the first month of the season, but the All-Pro edge rusher told reporters Wednesday that he's four months away from being cleared to practice.
Parsons, 27, underwent ACL surgery Dec. 29 after a Dec. 14 season-ending injury against the Denver Broncos, and revealed Wednesday that the surgery included a procedure on his meniscus.
The five-time Pro Bowl selection likely will open the season on the physically unable to perform list, which means
he would automatically miss four games.
"The goal for me is to complete the season -- not no relapse -- and playoffs and pushing towards a championship," Parsons said. "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."
If Parsons does start the season on the PUP list, he would be eligible to practice ahead of the Packers' Week 5 home matchup against the rival Chicago Bears on Oct. 11. The following Sunday, Green Bay hosts Parsons' former team, the Dallas Cowboys.
"We have a pretty good strong nine-month rule," Parsons said of the Packers. "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."
Before Parsons' injury, the Packers were rolling at 9-3-1, then went 0-4 to close the regular season and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Bears.
Parsons finished his first season with the Packers with 12.5 sacks, 41 tackles, 27 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles, making the All-Pro first team for the third time in five seasons.
Green Bay acquired Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys in a stunning trade on Aug. 28, 2025, then signed him to a four-year, $186 million contract extension through 2029. The Packers sent Kenny Clark and a pair of first-round picks to Dallas in the deal.
Parsons has recorded 65.0 sacks in 77 games (76 starts) since the Cowboys drafted him with the No. 12 overall pick in 2021. He was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021.
--Field Level Media
