Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons is approaching a key date in his recovery, and beat writer Matt Schneidman of The Athletic laid out the most likely next step on Monday.
Schneidman reported that Parsons’ nine-month mark after surgery falls next Tuesday. That is the point the Packers have treated as the earliest window for football activity following the All-Pro’s torn ACL and meniscus procedure.
According to Schneidman, Parsons is already eligible to practice under league rules. The Packers, though, do not have an official practice this week because they host the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football.
Schneidman wrote that next Wednesday’s practice, before Green Bay visits Tampa Bay, would be more realistic for Parsons’ return to team drills.
“Micah Parsons’ nine-month mark post-surgery is next Tuesday,” Schneidman wrote. “He’s currently eligible to practice, but the Packers don’t officially practice this week with the Thursday game. Next Wednesday’s practice before visiting Tampa would be more realistic for Parsons’ practice return.”
Parsons tore the ACL in his left knee Dec. 14 at Denver and had surgery Dec. 29. The operation also addressed meniscus damage, which is why the Packers have followed a firm nine-month timeline. He started the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. That designation means he must miss the first four games and cannot play Thursday against Atlanta or Oct. 4 at Tampa. A new NFL rule lets teams open a 21-day practice window for PUP players after two games. The Packers could have started that clock this week. Schneidman’s report indicates they are waiting instead to match their own medical calendar. Parsons arrived in Green Bay last summer in a trade from Dallas and signed a record contract. He had 12.5 sacks in 14 games before the injury cut short his first season with the Packers. The team is 1-1 without him after a loss at Minnesota and an overtime win at the New York Jets. The pass rush has relied on Lukas Van Ness and others while Parsons finishes rehab. Coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst have both said they will not rush the star defender. Their comments line up with the patient approach Schneidman described. Parsons has spoken previously about wanting to be healthy for the second half of the season and the playoffs. He spent seven weeks on crutches after surgery, longer than some teammates who had isolated ACL tears. If he joins practice next Wednesday as Schneidman suggested, he would have time to work into football movements before the Week 5 home game against Chicago. Week 6 against the Cowboys remains another possible target. The Packers have been cautious with similar recoveries. They want Parsons at full speed when he returns, not simply available. Team officials have not named an exact game for his debut. Schneidman’s update is the clearest public timeline yet for when he might first step onto the practice field with teammates. Parsons has stayed around the facility and continued individual work. The report from Schneidman puts a specific date on the next phase after months of rehab. The defense will play at least two more games without him. When he does practice, it will be the first time he has been on the field with the group since last December.
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