Packers’ Micah Parsons Questionable for Sunday vs. Lions, Expected to Play Limited Snaps

“Micah Parsons, who is listed as questionable for Sunday due to a back injury, is expected to make his Packers’ debut vs. the Lions, but he also is not expected to be in on every down, per sources. The Packers still are figuring out how much to play him; it will be some, but not the full amount.”

Parsons arrived in Green Bay last week, moving from the Dallas Cowboys after three straight Pro Bowl seasons. The former Defensive Rookie of the Year has managed a back injury identified as an L4/L5 facet joint sprain that limited him throughout training camp and the preseason. Per Schefter, Dallas prescribed a five-day course of prednisone to reduce back tightness before the trade, and Green Bay’s medical staff may administer an injection before kickoff.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport first reported on Saturday that the Packers “are still figuring out how much to play him,” while ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler added the team plans to use a “pitch count” rather than a full workload. “He wants to play and the Packers want to get him in there,” Fowler said on SportsCenter, but emphasized the staff’s caution because Parsons missed all preseason action.

During his introductory press conference, Micah Parsons told reporters that Green Bay didn’t give up what they gave up so that he could stay on the sidelines. The Packers are expected to deploy him primarily in high-leverage situations as he ramps up.

The kickoff between Green Bay and Detroit is set for Sunday, September 7, at 4:25 p.m. ET inside Lambeau Field.

Packers Tried to Land Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson Before Pivoting to Micah Parsons Trade

Green Bay reportedly pursued Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson before executing its blockbuster deal for Micah Parsons. Ian Rapoport reported the Packers were among the teams that called and engaged with Cincinnati the most this offseason and even made an initial offer for last season’s NFL sack leader.

“The Packers are among the teams that called and engaged the most with Cincinnati on a potential trade for Hendrickson this offseason, with an initial offer made for last season’s sack leader,” Rapoport wrote. 

“In fact, standout defensive tackle Kenny Clark would also have been involved in the trade had the two sides come to an agreement, though Green Bay was not willing to part with him at that point in the process. Based on Clark’s value to Green Bay — and based on Cincy driving a hard bargain due to how they never really wanted to trade Hendrickson — the deal never happened.”

As per the report, the Bengals wanted a mid-round 2026 pick plus Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Green Bay balked, valuing Clark’s impact on its interior. Cincinnati ultimately gave Hendrickson a $14M raise to stay for the final year of his contract. 

The Packers then pivoted, sending Clark and two first-round picks to Dallas for Parsons, who’s expected to debut this week.