Packers HC discusses Micah Parsons' injury status for Week 1 matchup vs. Lions

Will Green Bay Packers fans have to wait for defensive edge Micah Parsons to make his debut in green and gold?

Parsons — whom the Packers recently acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Cowboys — has been battling a back injury. Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur discussed his prognosis in his Thursday news conference. 

LaFleur still not saying Parsons will play in Week 1

LaFleur said Parsons remained limited for a second straight practice and there are "no guarantees" he will play in Sunday's home game against the Detroit Lions at 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS). 

"I think he was able to do what we had planned for him today," the coach said. "He's doing a good job with that." 

LaFleur is probably being vague about Parsons' status to keep the Lions on their toes.

Parsons has already indicated his injury isn't a big concern

"I think physically, you know, I'm great," the four-time Pro Bowler said in his introductory news conference last week. "I think I can contribute a lot. I'm going to team up with the doctors in creating a plan. We already talked about how we can ramp things up and get me into a flow where they feel comfortable and I feel comfortable." 

Meanwhile, Lions head coach Dan Campbell has said the team will "have a plan" for Parsons regardless of his injury status. 

Parsons playing on Sunday would certainly help Green Bay get an early win against its NFC North rival. His 52.5 career sacks are the fifth most through a player's first four seasons in NFL history, per Stats Perform.

A strong pass-rush is critical against Detroit, which has one of the NFL's top offensive lines. The unit features right tackle Penei Sewell, a three-time Pro Bowler.

With Parsons already suggesting he's planning to play, figure on him being in the lineup in the divisional matchup, even if LaFleur isn't guaranteeing that.