Micah Parsons is working his way back to the football field after suffering an ACL tear against the Denver Broncos in Week 15 last season on Dec. 14. The Green Bay Packers edge rusher has been rehabbing during camp, and his latest comments about a potential return timeline paint an encouraging picture for a defense that badly needs him.

Green Bay follows a nine-month rule for players recovering from ACL injuries, so Parsons will inevitably miss the first few games of the regular season. But during training camp, he was asked about potentially returning against the Dallas Cowboys, his former team, in Week 6. Parsons acknowledged that the timeline is realistic, even if it’s not guaranteed.

“I think it’s very realistic,” Parsons said. “Me and the staff just have to put the work in. We have to get to the point where I’m feeling great and we’re all saying, Mike, Micah, you’re in a really good place. Is it possible? Yes. I wouldn’t say it’s out of the question, but over this next, how many weeks is that, 10, 12? I don’t know. We have to do our part to make it possible. It’s definitely not off the board, but we got to put the work in.”

PUP list and the new NFL practice rule

Parsons is expected to start the regular season on the physically unable to perform list, which would knock him out of the first four games. Under a new NFL rule applied starting this season, players on PUP can begin practicing after Week 2 and return to game action as early as Week 5, which would be against the Chicago Bears.

However, because Parsons tore his ACL and also required a cleanup surgery on his meniscus, his return could take longer than the earliest possible window. That makes the Week 6 matchup against Dallas on Oct. 18 at Lambeau Field a more realistic target.

When asked about whether he could return as the same player he was before the injury, Parsons delivered a strong response that reveals his competitive mindset throughout this recovery process.

“When people say they want to be the same player they were before, I don’t really see that it’s that way,” Parsons added. “When you come out of a situation like this, you’re either going to be better or you’re going to be worse. For me, I’ve done everything I possibly can to come back better. I think people are worried about if I come back. They should really be worried about how I’m going to come back. People are focused on the knee, but they should be focused on how I’m going to play when I get back. There’s a lot of anger and frustration that’s been building because of how long it’s been since I played.”

The Cowboys storyline

The truth is this game will matter for the Cowboys whether Parsons plays or not. It’s a road game at Lambeau Field against a legit NFC contender. But you just know if Micah Parsons plays, it will mean just a little more. 

For starters, it will be intriguing to see how the Cowboys handle an elite pass rusher like Parsons. Pass protection at tackle remains one of the biggest question marks on Brian Schottenheimer’s high-powered offense. Even with backup tackle play and no CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys were able to put up 40 on the Packers’ defense last year, but this is a new season.

I’ll add this: Parsons has, surprisingly, been louder about the trade than Jerry Jones since it happened. You just know the Cowboys owner will badly want to get the win against him as he continues to try to make the controversial trade age well for Dallas (he’s since traded for Quinnen Williams and is teasing another big move at the moment). It’s a massive game either way. Hopefully Parsons plays so we can get a revenge game with an actual winner.