On Wednesday, Green Bay Packers pass-rusher Micah Parsons told the local press that he has a strict “nine-month rule” to return to game action, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette’s Ryan Wood. This makes sense, considering that receiver Christian Watson, who tore his ACL late in the 2025 season, took nine months to return to practice and nine months and 21 days to return to games.
For perspective, Parsons, who tore his ACL on December 14th, had his knee surgery on December 29th. Essentially,
he should be expected to return to practice in late September, which would now be allowed after the NFL passed a new rule that states that players who start the regular season on the physically unable to perform list can practice with their respective teams as early as Week 3. Previously, players had to miss action for the first four games of the season.
The question now is how quickly Parsons will be able to ramp up between his return to practice and getting playing time during live games.
Packers schedule 2026 — September & October
- Week 1, September 13th: @ Minnesota Vikings
- Week 2, September 20th: @ New York Jets
- Week 3, September 24th: vs. Atlanta Falcons
- Week 4, October 4th: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 5, October 11th: vs. Chicago Bears
- Week 6, October 18th: vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Week 7, October 25th: @ Detroit Lions
- Week 8, October 29th: vs. Carolina Panthers
For those wondering about tight end Tucker Kraft, 294 days from his ACL tear, the same time it took for Watson to return to a football game, is August 23rd, so he should be available at some point during training camp. For Parsons, 294 days from his ACL tear would be October 4th.
Parsons also revealed that he had his meniscus “cleaned up” during his knee surgery.
