Packers OLB Micah Parsons Might Not Play Until November

Parsons, who is recovering from the ACL and meniscus tears he suffered last December, identified Week 6 as a potential return date during the summer. In that case, the perennial All-Pro and Pro Bowler would make his 2026 debut on Oct. 18 against his former team, the Cowboys. But there is a chance Parsons won’t play until November, according to Pelissero, who notes the 27-year-old has not suffered a setback. Still just nine months removed from undergoing surgery, Parsons simply isn’t ready yet.

In a franchise-altering blockbuster for both teams, the Packers sent defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks to the Cowboys for Parsons in August 2025. Parsons, who landed a four-year, $188MM extension upon arrival, lived up to the hype during his first couple of months in Green Bay. Before going down for the year in a Week 15 loss to the Broncos, Parsons piled up 12.5 sacks in 14 games and became the first player with a dozen-plus in each of his first five seasons.

The Packers were 9-4-1 when they lost Parsons, but they didn’t win another game without him. They finished the regular season 9-7-1 and then blew an 18-point halftime lead in a 31-27 loss to the archrival Bears in the wild-card round. The Parsons-less Packers haven’t been sharp this year either, having dropped two of their first three games. Between lopsided losses to the Vikings (39-22) and Falcons (35-14), the Pack managed to eke out a 20-17 overtime win against the Jets in Week 2. They rank 30th in points per game allowed (30.3), 21st in total defense and 20th in pass rush win rate. They’re a more respectable 12th in sacks (seven), but 4.5 of those have come from Lukas Van Ness and Edgerrin Cooper. Those two are the only Packers who have recorded at least one sack.

Van Ness’ emergence in Parsons’ absence has been one of the few bright spots this year for Green Bay. After going 13th overall in the 2023 draft, Van Ness posted underwhelming numbers during his first three seasons. The Packers nonetheless exercised his $13.75MM option for 2027 during the offseason, though, and Van Ness has responded with 18 tackles (four TFL), six quarterback hits and a team-high 2.5 sacks. Three games into the season, he ranks first among all edge defenders in pass rush win rate.

If Van Ness continues performing at a high level when Parsons returns, the Packers will boast an elite edge-rushing tandem. In the meantime, they will have to stay in the race without their premier defensive player. The Packers are in last place in the NFC North, whose other three teams are either 3-0 or 2-1, and will face the division-rival Bears and Lions later this month. This Sunday’s game in Tampa Bay looks like an easier matchup on paper, as the Buccaneers will start undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels in place of the injured Baker Mayfield. If the Packers take care of the Bucs, they will get to .500 ahead of next week’s meeting with the Bears at Lambeau Field.