Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur provided updates on edge rusher Micah Parsons, running back Josh Jacobs, right guard Kevin Zeitler and left guard Aaron Banks following Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboys and entering a week of preparation for the Detroit Lions in Week 7.
Parsons remains on the PUP list while finishing his recovery from last December's ACL reconstruction surgery. Jacobs is coming off the Commissioner's Exempt List on Monday after missing the first six regular season games. Zeiter's ramp up period continues, while Banks is finally getting healthy -- creating tough decisions for the Packers up front entering Sunday.
More from LaFleur on Monday:
On edge rusher Micah Parsons: LaFleur said Parsons (ACL) will not return to practice
this week. "Again, he's got to clear some hurdles yet to get to that point." Parsons hasn't been cleared by the medical staff yet, but LaFleur wouldn't rule out Parsons practicing during a short week before the Packers play the Panthers in Week 8. Once Parsons returns to practice, the assumption is he'll likely need at least two weeks of practice before he's ready to play in a game. The All-Pro's return date keeps getting pushed back later into November.
On running back Josh Jacobs: LaFleur confirmed Jacobs, who missed the first six games while on the exempt list, will be on the practice field on Wednesday, and the expectation is he'll get a full week of practice. Will he play Sunday against the Lions? "That's to be determined. We feel he's in a pretty good spot. He's been training, but he's missed the exposure to football." LaFleur called Jacobs an "elite level back" who can "provide a spark" for the Packers running game. While not able to practice, Jacobs was in meetings and working with strength and conditioning coaches during his stay on the exempt list. "He's been engaged, he's been working out."
On right guard Kevin Zeitler: "He's getting better. He's gotten more comfortable. He's moving better. I think he's feeling more comfortable with the scheme. I think it's going to be a day by day thing." Zeitler has been active the last two weeks but wasn't a starter at right guard, where Travis Glover has started the last three games. It's possible Zeitler, who was signed on Sept. 30, will be in the mix to start this week. Glover didn't play particularly well against the Cowboys.
On left guard Aaron Banks: "I think he had a great week of practice last week. I think that's the best he's looked in a long time. He's getting there." Banks got in three limited practices, his first practices since injuring his toe in Week 2. Banks has also battled lingering knee tendonitis dating back training camp. The Packers will have to decide who the preferred starter at left guard is once Banks is healthy. Veteran Laken Tomlinson has been the starter the last three weeks.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers updates on Micah Parsons, Josh Jacobs, Kevin Zeitler entering Week 7
